Censorship! Bank Blocks Money from Japanese Adult Game Dev Citing “Risk”
Censorship censorship censorship censorship censorship censorship censorship imposed and censorship is what we see in 2024, 2025 and continuing into 2026, and it is hard to understand how situations like this are still happening, and here is yet another case that is causing outrage, with some even supporting it.
A Japanese adult game developer recently reported a case involving the blocking of international bank transfers by a local bank, even after proving legal compliance and providing all required documentation.
Censorship! Bank Blocks Money from Japanese Adult Game Dev Citing “Risk”
The blocking of international bank transfers was reported by Mai Itsuki, a member of the Ren development circle, which produces and publishes independent adult games. According to the Japanese developer, Resona Bank suddenly interrupted all transactions related to international revenue from their works, citing “risks” that were not further detailed.
The Ren studio is known for independent adult-oriented games, including the erotic RPG inspired by the Cthulhu mythos, Night of the Black Goat. According to Itsuki, all business operations were properly registered, with taxes up to date and full documentation submitted to the bank to prove legality.
Despite this, in March of this year the bank informed them it could no longer process payments. The developer states they had been selling their games in Japan for two years and in the United States for one year under the same legal conditions, including legally required censorship, without any issues.
When questioning the reason for the blocking of international bank transfers, Itsuki was told the decision was part of a “case-by-case review” based on transaction details and context, without specific criteria being disclosed. The bank only mentioned potential “risks” without further explanation.
Faced with the situation, and after consulting a lawyer, the developer decided to move to another bank for international operations. According to them, continuing to pursue the issue could lead to high legal costs as well as physical and emotional strain, as they are currently undergoing cancer treatment.
They also noted that opening an account for international transactions is already difficult for individual businesses, and that this situation may become even more restrictive as banking policies in Japan tighten. They are now seeking advice from other developers facing similar issues.
via Automaton