Japan is ramping up their anti-piracy campaign, and for the first time, announced five huge arrests to the public. In a joint operation by the Kyoto, Yamaguchi, Shizuoka, Mie, and Shimane prefectural police, they caught five Chinese nationals. These Chinese citizens have allegedly copied and distributed several manga titles and games online. Or course, the police are charging these suspects with copyright infringement.

 

Police alleged that these five suspects are part of a notorious scanlation group which translates manga into Chinese. They usually meet online via social media, as well as forums, and all members are volunteers. Two of the five suspects are currently cooperating with the police. They admitted that they are scanning and translating manga for distribution in China. They also translate video games, as well as magazines into Chinese.

Some of the notable titles the group has copied include  Karuho Shiina’s Kimi ni Todoke, as well as the Yu-Gi-Oh Arc-V Tag Force Special PS Vita game. If found guilty, the five suspects can face up to 10 years in prison, as well as hundreds of thousands of yen in fines. The copyright holders might also sue them for money as well.

Source: Asahi Shimbun