Lately, international payment processors have been focusing their attention on Japanese platforms like DLSite, Pixiv, and various others hosting adult content, insisting on the removal or censorship of certain materials.
Consequently, platforms such as Pixiv and DLSite have either implemented alterations or predominantly ceased their payment options involving Visa and MasterCard. Additionally, Niconico video site has recently severed ties with Visa, halting its services with the company altogether.
This isn’t unfamiliar territory for them; Niconico had previously halted MasterCard payment options in November of last year. The catalyst for this decision likely arose from a viral clickbait video on the Japanese platform. The video depicted a baby kitten being washed in a sink, with a title crafted to insinuate animal abuse.
To the best of my understanding, Niconico doesn’t feature any adult-centric content on its platform, apart from the “Gachimuchi” videos that were once popular. However, MasterCard reportedly requested the removal of the cat video from the website, but this plea was disregarded.
Now, seemingly out of the blue, Niconico has announced that “due to various circumstances,” VISA is no longer a viable option for those interested in subscribing to Niconico Premium.
As per the statement, this suspension is deemed “temporary” until it either transitions into a permanent state or until Niconico acquiesces to Visa’s demands and implements the desired alterations.
Pixiv recently restricted adult content access for users in the United States and United Kingdom, while DLSite attempted to modify certain search terms to avoid scrutiny, though such efforts were unsuccessful. The only recourse left seems to be blocking such payment processors altogether.
In another surprising move, Gumroad shattered its own profit records after abruptly altering its terms of service, giving users barely a day’s notice that adult-rated content would no longer be permitted, effectively telling them to go fuck themselves.
This development marks yet another phase in the ongoing struggle between monopolistic payment processors and foreign businesses facing stringent demands to conform to their particular agendas.
Niconico now joins the ranks of Japanese platforms hosting anime-related content that have suspended or removed VISA and/or MasterCard from their websites. These actions primarily stem from pressures to eliminate explicit adult content. This stance could potentially extend to outright barring all things anime-related, including merchandise, in the future.
Japanese customers do have an alternative in JCB, which operates internationally. However, they are significantly less consolidated within the industry compared to giants like VISA, MasterCard, or even PayPal. Despite being a minority even among Japanese citizens, it’s becoming apparent that all major Western payment processors harbor some form of agenda against pornography.
