HIV awareness poster in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Nichome gay district censored

This story is super old now but we wanted to blog it anyway because it’s important.

With its low use of condom usage, Japan is a bit of an HIV time bomb — something the gay community is more proactive about. Complimentary condoms are frequently available at bars and clubs, and HIV awareness posters are also displayed in gay nightlife areas.

However, one HIV awareness poster was too much for the authorities and locals.

Designed by illustrator and animator Poko Murata, this billboard was hung in Shinjuku Nichome, Tokyo’s main gay district, from December 2013. Its design soon became something of a talking point.

It was selected from several public entries to be displayed until the end of June.

However, local residents complained and in January the organizers were told the design had to be “changed”.

“The billboard does not reflect public decency” was the judgment. The organizers tried to negotiate with Shinjuku City Office but for the sake of being allowed to continue the project.

A censored version was reinstalled in March, with the body of the muscular guy and his bulging underwear covered up.

The “corrections” were not carried out by the designer. Murata was naturally furious and ranted about it on his blog.

As Right Said Fred sang — I’m too sexy for my shirt — but in the case of Shinjuku, a gay man is too sexy without a shirt.

Would you be offended by this?