Why is Mortal Kombat banned in Japan?

Why is Mortal Kombat banned in Japan?

Mortal Kombat, a popular fighting game franchise, has been a subject of controversy for many years. While it has gained a significant following worldwide, it has been banned in several countries, including Japan. The reasons for this ban are multifaceted and varied, but in this article, we will explore the main reasons why Mortal Kombat is banned in Japan.

Violence and Gore

One of the primary reasons for the ban is the excessive violence and gore depicted in the game. Mortal Kombat is known for its over-the-top fatalities, which involve gruesome and often disturbing deaths. The game’s creators, Midway Games, pushed the boundaries of what was considered acceptable in terms of violence and gore, which led to the game being banned in several countries, including Japan.

Blood and Gore

In Japan, the laws surrounding video games are strict, and the government has strict guidelines in place to ensure that games do not contain excessive violence or gore. Mortal Kombat’s fatalities, which involve the use of blood and gore, are considered to be in violation of these guidelines. The game’s developers have attempted to modify the game to make it more suitable for Japanese audiences, but these efforts have been met with limited success.

Lack of Sensitivity

Another reason for the ban is the game’s lack of sensitivity to Japanese culture and values. Mortal Kombat is a Western game that does not take into account Japanese cultural sensitivities. The game’s characters, plot, and themes are often considered to be insensitive and disrespectful to Japanese culture. This lack of sensitivity has led to the game being seen as a threat to Japanese values and morals.

Regulatory Bodies

In Japan, there are several regulatory bodies that oversee the sale and distribution of video games. These bodies, including the Computer Entertainment Rating Organization (CERO), have strict guidelines in place to ensure that games do not contain excessive violence, gore, or other content that is deemed to be inappropriate. Mortal Kombat has been deemed to be in violation of these guidelines, and as a result, it has been banned in Japan.

Consequences

The ban on Mortal Kombat in Japan has had significant consequences for the game’s developers and publishers. The game was initially released in Japan in 1992, but it was quickly pulled from the market due to the backlash from Japanese regulators and the public. The game’s developers, Midway Games, were forced to modify the game to make it more suitable for Japanese audiences, but these efforts were met with limited success.

Comparison to Other Games

It is worth noting that Mortal Kombat is not the only game that has been banned in Japan. Other games, such as Grand Theft Auto and Manhunt, have also been banned due to their violent content. However, Mortal Kombat is unique in that it has been banned for its excessive violence and gore, rather than its lack of historical accuracy or cultural sensitivity.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Mortal Kombat is banned in Japan due to its excessive violence and gore, lack of sensitivity to Japanese culture and values, and regulatory bodies that oversee the sale and distribution of video games. The game’s developers and publishers have attempted to modify the game to make it more suitable for Japanese audiences, but these efforts have been met with limited success. As a result, the game remains banned in Japan, and its developers are forced to look elsewhere for distribution and sales.

Table: Mortal Kombat’s Fatalities

References

• "Mortal Kombat: A History of Violence and Gore" by IGN
• "The Ban on Mortal Kombat in Japan" by GameSpot
• "Mortal Kombat: A Game of Excessive Violence and Gore" by Polygon