(Newspaper dated 23 February 2024)

Convenience Store Sales of “Adult Magazines” Revived

One of the headlines on the cover encourages sexual crimes

New Women’s Emergency Survey confirms 95% of stores

[Image of 7-Eleven, Lawson, and FamilyMart signs alongside blurred-out adult magazines]

Signs of convenience stores and magazines sold at those stores (image partially edited)

[In the center of the article: ] Respect for women’s human rights | Companies questioned about their attitudes

An emergency investigation by the New Japan Women’s Association (NJWA) has revealed that the sale of “adult magazines” at convenience stores, which once disappeared, has returned. (by Hiroshi Nikuma)

The NJWA surveyed 517 convenience stores in the prefecture from December 10 to 12 last year, and found that 95.4%, or 493 stores, were selling the books, with the covers of the books featuring such titles as “molester,” “peeping,” “sugar baby” and “runaway girl,” all of which are unacceptable even for adults and which remind people of sex crimes, prostitution, and child prostitution.

Concerning the sale of “adult stories” in convenience stores, Aeon-affiliated Ministop announced in 2017 that it would stop selling them in response to requests from female customers and others. In addition, 7-Eleven, Lawson, and FamilyMart all decided in principle to discontinue the sale of the magazines in all of their stores in Japan by August 2019 due to the fact that the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics were scheduled to be held in the coming months.

With the growing global movement to eradicate sexual violence, and the accusation of violence against children by the former president of Johnny & Associates, the way companies deal with sexual violence in Japan is being severely questioned. Survey participants voiced their surprise and criticism of the fact that the materials are not “zoned” (sold in restricted areas) and are placed openly in general magazines, in products for children, and near toilets. They also commented, “I am astonished that sex has been commercialized to such an extent that it is constantly sold in our daily lives,” and “If children who have not received proper sex education see them, it will send the wrong message.”

The NJWA lodged a complaint with 7-Eleven, Lawson, and FamilyMart, claiming that the products are degrading to women’s dignity.

There are approximately 58,000 convenience stores nationwide. The NJWA is conducting a more detailed national survey from February 10 to April 10. (You can participate in the survey via QR code)

The sale of “adult magazines” in convenience stores may fall under the category of “environmental sexual harassment” as defined by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, in which sexual posters and advertisements in the workplace cause distress to employees. Store owners also stated that “female employees are welcoming [the discontinuation of sales].”

In response to inquiries from this newspaper, Seven & i Holdings, Laweson, and FamilyMart all stated that they have not changed their policy of “discontinuation in principle.” However, Seven & i admitted to selling the products at some of its stores. “It seems as if their promise has been reneged on.” Ryoko Ikeda, a member of the NJWA’s Central Standing Committee and director of the Children and Education Department, does not hide her indignation.

In addition to the scheduled 2020 Olympic Games, the 2019 “stop sale” was also pointed out by the UN Committee on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW). In 2016, the Committee issued a summary finding on Japan’s implementation of CEDAW, stating that it was "concerned about the persistent existence of patriarchal attitudes and deep-rooted stereotypes [of stereotyped gender roles]. In particular, the report stated that the media “promotes sexual violence against women and girls through stereotypical expressions such as sexual objectification.”

Based on the summary findings, the NJWA proposed that convenience stores nationwide respect women’s human rights when handling "adult magazines. Ikeda recalls that upon the announcement of the “suspension of handling in principle” in 2019, “many members welcomed that ‘women’s voices and actions have changed society’.”

Convenience stores play an important role in disaster response and other infrastructure. The major convenience store chains are members of the Japan Franchise Chain Association and cooperates with the association’s “Creating a Safe and Secure Community” initiative. They respond to emergency evacuations of women and children from stalking and sex crimes, and in 2022, there were 7093 “run-in reports” for women and 4593 for children (“2022 Convenience Store Safety Station Activity Survey Report”).

Sales of publications in convenience stores account for 1% of total merchandise sales. Sales are decreasing year by year.

Many convenience stores enter into franchise agreements with “convenience store headquarters” and receive permission to use their trademarks and other rights by paying a portion of gross profit (royalties), which is calculated by subtracting “costs” from “sales”.

Seven & i Holdings stated, "Under the franchise agreement, the franchisees have the authority to purchase the products, so it is difficult to force them to stop selling the products, but we will continue our efforts to create an environment that is easy for customers to use.

A store owner, who agreed to be interviewed on condition of anonymity, said that while franchisees have the discretion to make purchasing decisions regarding the handling of “adult magazines,” the head office is largely responsible for compliance (adherence to norms), including protection of human rights.

The aforementioned Ms. Ikeda said, “There is a great responsibility on the head office to ensure compliance, including the protection of human rights.”

“There has been a string of accusations of sexual crimes, domestic violence, and sex trafficking. As long as they are committed to the SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals), they have a responsibility to fulfill their tasks of gender equality and protection of children’s human rights.”