Based on reporting from Verity Townsend of Automaton Media, it’s a tough time to be an adult game developer in Japan. Not because of declining interest (Japan practically invented the genre), but because banks have suddenly decided that transferring money from Steam’s US-based bank to Japanese accounts is just a bit too risqué.
Imagine this: You spend years crafting your magnum opus—perhaps a poignant, deeply narrative-driven experience about love, loss, and, uh… other things. The game finally launches, it sells well, you’re about to collect your hard-earned yen, and then—bam—your bank looks at the transaction, squints at the sender, and says, “Actually, no.”
The Bank’s Explanation? Vague, at Best
According to Japanese authorities, this isn’t just about “adult content.” No, no, it’s a “comprehensive decision” based on various laws related to financial crime prevention and foreign trade. A very serious, non-specific reason that, curiously, doesn’t seem to apply to other industries making just as much (if not more) questionable content.
Of course, the real reason seems to trace back to the same saga we’ve seen before: credit card companies, particularly Visa and Mastercard, getting squeamish about adult content. If you’ve followed the saga of DLsite, Pixiv, or even OnlyFans creators trying to get paid, you know the pattern. Banks and payment processors tighten the noose, citing concerns over fraud, chargebacks, or reputational risk, while drug dealers on street corners continue receiving payments however which way they choose.
Japan’s Economy: Powered by Anime and Games, But Not Those Games
What makes this even stranger is that Japan is actively pushing anime, manga, and video games as core industries for economic growth. Yet, its own banks are throwing hurdles in front of one of the most lucrative sectors of the industry. If you’re a developer making a wholesome RPG, congrats—you’re getting paid. But if your game involves too much skin, well, time to consider alternative banking solutions.
Like crypto.
More than a few commenters have pointed out that banks blocking legitimate transactions might just push devs toward cryptocurrency. Which, let’s be honest, is probably a scarier thought to governments than a few pixelated romance scenes.
The Future of Adult Games: Yamada vs. The Banks
Luckily, politician Taro Yamada is on the case, calling out banks for blocking legal payments and demanding a fix. Whether this leads to an actual resolution remains to be seen.
But for now, if you’re a Japanese adult game developer waiting for your Steam payout, the only thing you’re getting is a lesson in financial abstinence.
