22 people in China and Brazil arrested over operation of anime and manga piracy sites

A Japanese industry group reported that a total of 22 people have been exposed to operating overseas-based piracy websites of popular Japanese anime and manga over the past three years. 

Formed by companies in the anime and publishing industries, the CODA, an abbreviation for Content Overseas Distribution Association, reported that 22 operators of anime and manga piracy sites have been arrested by local authorities in China and Brazil since they started taking international measures against such websites. 

In China, 18 people have been exposed for running these illegal websites, 13 among which were arrested by the Jiangsu Provincial Public Security Bureau during the period from January to June of this year alone. 

4 people were also arrested in Brazil, leading to the closure of 36 piracy sites. 

In light of the growing popularity of Japanese anime and manga, there has been an increase in the number of overseas operator posting translations of these works on their websites without permission to earn profits. According to CODA, the damage caused by these websites is estimated to reach 2 trillion yen. 

CODA says that similar losses have been reported in European countries such as France, stressing its intention to work closely with foreign authorities to take strict action. 

Source: NHK