DIY Photography

Your one stop shop for everything photo-video

  • News
  • Inspiration
  • Reviews
  • Tutorials
  • DIY
  • Gear
Search

Submit A Story

Kyoto Moves To Make Upskirting a Painful Offence

May 26, 2014 by Peter Bower 7 Comments

  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Flipboard
  • WhatsApp

4602219260_1aeb6ebe9d_b

Earlier today, The Japan Times released that officials in Kyoto, Japan, had revised ordinance in order to crack down on the practice of upskirt photography (making unauthorized photographs under a woman’s skirt). The highly popular tourist destination in Japan is flooded with tourists every spring, mostly high school students, and “upskirting” had reached disturbing levels, with even “a whole subgenre of magazines” existing for individuals to sell their images.

This perverted practice has always been outlawed in Japan, but only in public places such as shopping centers, railway stations, and public transport. Individuals taking these photographs had found a loophole which made them untouchable by police by taking their photos in places not covered under the definition of a “public place.” The change in ordinance has seen the expansion of the “scope of protection” to include places such as schools, workplaces and hospitals, and has increased penalties for the use of hidden cameras in areas such as hot spring baths, changing rooms and public restrooms. Penalties can now be as high as ¥1 million (about $9815) or a year in jail.

This isn’t the first time that we report on “upskirting” and the harm it causes. Just earlier this year, we wrote about a case in Massachusetts where the judge ruled the ‘photographer’ was within his rights as the individuals he had photographed were in public and neither nude nor partially nude. I am sure I am not the only photographer who finds “upskirting” abhorrent, though, and despises such practices for multiple reasons.

This move in Kyoto is a great step in the right direction for those taken advantage of in such a vulgar manner. Protecting people in such situations is the key, here. But there is the added advantage that it is helping protect the integrity of genuine street photographers, photographers and tourists alike.

We do recommend all photographers learn their rights and what they are allowed and are not allowed to take photographs of in public. But, at the same time, we do hope that responsibility will be taken and people’s privacy will not be invaded.

The question remains is the punishment enough? What else can be done to stop this poor practice and help protect photographers, particularly street photographers, from being labelled the same as those who create “upskirting” materials? We only hope that move places take measures to eliminate it as much as humanly possible.

[via The Japan Times | image by Elvin]

FIND THIS INTERESTING? SHARE IT WITH YOUR FRIENDS!

  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Flipboard
  • WhatsApp

Related posts:

“Upskirting” in the UK can now get you up to 2 years in prison Tourist bad behavior prompts Kyoto’s Geisha neighborhood to ban photography How I Shot This Light Painting Photo In Fushimi Inari Shrine, Kyoto, Japan This GoPro Karma vs DJI Mavic review is incredibly painful for GoPro

Filed Under: news Tagged With: Japan, Kyoto, law, legal, upskirt photography, upskirting

Peter Bower: from diyphotography.net

About Peter Bower

Peter Bower is a professional photographer and writer based in Newcastle, Australia. He is the founder of VoTogs.com. His work, both photographic and written, has been published in many formats and he is responsible for many projects. More can be found at his website. Reach out to him via Facebook or Twitter.

« 70 Inspirational Quotes About Photography
Make Beep That You Love! Work With People Who Love The Beep That You Do! Make Good Beep »

Submit A Story

Get our FREE Lighting Book

DIYP lighting book cover

* download requires newsletter signup
DIYPhotography

Recent Comments

Free Resources

Advanced lighting book

Recent Posts

  • Here’s a bullet time video booth you can build yourself
  • Ricoh has discontinued the HD PENTAX-DA 21mm F3.2AL Limited silver lens
  • This “stellar flower” unravels the twilight’s evolution in 360 degrees
  • Strobes vs Continuous LEDs – Which is right for you?
  • Wave goodbye to Apple’s My Photo Stream next month

Udi Tirosh: from diyphotography.netUdi Tirosh is an entrepreneur, photography inventor, journalist, educator, and writer based in Israel. With over 25 years of experience in the photo-video industry, Udi has built and sold several photography-related brands. Udi has a double degree in mass media communications and computer science.

Alex Baker: from diyphotography.netAlex Baker is a portrait and lifestyle driven photographer based in Valencia, Spain. She works on a range of projects from commercial to fine art and has had work featured in publications such as The Daily Mail, Conde Nast Traveller and El Mundo, and has exhibited work across Europe

David Williams: from diyphotography.netDave Williams is an accomplished travel photographer, writer, and best-selling author from the UK. He is also a photography educator and published Aurora expert. Dave has traveled extensively in recent years, capturing stunning images from around the world in a modified van. His work has been featured in various publications and he has worked with notable brands such as Skoda, EE, Boeing, Huawei, Microsoft, BMW, Conde Nast, Electronic Arts, Discovery, BBC, The Guardian, ESPN, NBC, and many others.

John Aldred: from diyphotography.netJohn Aldred is a photographer with over 20 years of experience in the portrait and commercial worlds. He is based in Scotland and has been an early adopter - and occasional beta tester - of almost every digital imaging technology in that time. As well as his creative visual work, John uses 3D printing, electronics and programming to create his own photography and filmmaking tools and consults for a number of brands across the industry.

Dunja Djudjic: from diyphotography.netDunja Djudjic is a multi-talented artist based in Novi Sad, Serbia. With 15 years of experience as a photographer, she specializes in capturing the beauty of nature, travel, and fine art. In addition to her photography, Dunja also expresses her creativity through writing, embroidery, and jewelry making.

Copyright © DIYPhotography 2006 - 2023 | About | Contact | Advertise | Write for DIYP | Full Disclosure | Privacy Policy