Japanese Politician Calls Out Credit Card Companies Over Gaming Censorship

Japanese politician and former assemblyman Zenko Kurishita has spoken out against the growing role of credit card companies in censoring video game content.

In a recent interview with Denfaminicogamer (translated via Automaton), he addressed how platforms like Steam and Itch.io have been forced into mass delistings of NSFW games due to pressure from payment providers.

Kurishita is no stranger to debates around gaming freedom. Back in 2020, he gained attention for opposing restrictions on children’s daily playtime in Japan. Since then, he has consistently defended creative expression across different forms of media, and now he’s turning his focus toward what he describes as “invisible censorship” led by financial giants.

The issue isn’t new in Japan. Payment-related restrictions started surfacing in 2022, when adult content hubs like DLsite faced sudden crackdowns. But in the last couple of years, the problem has spread globally, pulling mainstream gaming platforms into the crossfire.

Kurishita argues that the real danger lies not just in the content takedowns themselves, but in the opaque system behind them. Credit card companies such as Visa and Mastercard rarely state their rules clearly, often hiding behind vague statements about protecting their “brand reputation.” What makes things worse is that the platforms themselves are often left guessing.

From Kurishita’s perspective, platforms are usually blindsided by short-notice warnings that leave no time for negotiation. “From people I’ve spoken with at multiple platforms, they’re just suddenly told, ‘Starting next week, you won’t be able to use our services anymore,’” he explained. And, this isn’t even communicated directly by Visa or Mastercard, but rather passed down through acquirers and payment processors.

This indirect style of enforcement, Kurishita suggests, might be "intentional." The lack of transparency spreads responsibility across different layers, making it almost impossible to hold any single party accountable. He points out that Visa and Mastercard often deny direct involvement, yet their rules trickle down to shape what actually gets censored.

That complexity is what makes the situation so alarming. As Kurishita put it, “Because the structure is so complex, you can’t clearly tell who is regulating what, or for what purpose. That uncertainty is the most frightening part.” He also warned that many people don’t realize how big of a threat this is, which allows these companies to maintain control without facing public backlash.

When it comes to solutions, Kurishita believes awareness is the first step. He also advocates for diversifying payment options, especially in Japan, where reliance on Visa and Mastercard is particularly high. If real competition existed, he argues, these companies would be less likely to act so aggressively.