Japanese developers on Steam can’t receive revenue from adult games due to Japanese banks blocking transfers 

It has been revealed this week that Japanese developers who are distributing adult-oriented games via Steam are facing issues when trying to receive their profits. It seems that Japanese banks are suddenly blocking such money transfers. Politician Taro Yamada, a member of the Diet’s upper house, brought attention to the issue on his official X account and in a YouTube broadcast (in Japanese).  

As reported by Yamada, there have been numerous cases in which Japanese developers of adult-oriented games have been unable to transfer their profits from overseas (i.e. from Steam’s bank in the US) to a Japanese bank account. Both Japan’s Financial Services Agency (FSA), which is responsible for banks, and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), which oversees games, have confirmed that this issue exists. 

But what is the reasoning behind this move by Japanese banks? In a hearing with the FSA (reported on by Game*Spark), the banks gave a vague answer, saying that it is not only because the games are intended for adults. Rather, it is apparently a “comprehensive decision” based on laws such as the Act on Prevention of Transfer of Criminal Proceeds and the Foreign Exchange and Foreign Trade Act.  

However, Yamada argues that if these are legal, disclosed transactions, then they should be granted. He is currently working with the FSA and METI to try to find a solution to this issue. 

On his X profile, Yamada lists freedom of expression and digital policy among his specializations. When otaku dating site Aellune had visa payments momentarily suspended on their site last December, he spoke out about the negative impact that these sudden, intransparent decisions by international payment processors have on legitimate businesses. These abrupt suspensions have become a hot topic in recent months, impacting bishojo game developers, manga archives and fanart sites, and one that we have covered heavily on AUTOMATON West. 

It seems that Japanese banks are now becoming a problem for Japanese creators too. Considering that Japan is positioning anime and video games as its core industries for economic growth, this move by Japanese banks seems counter-intuitive. It will be interesting to see how this situation is dealt with.