Japanese ratings board praises new system

The Computer Entertainment Suppliers' Association (CESA) surveyed 681 retailers to assess the effectiveness of the revised game content rating system that was implemented in Japan on May 31.

The new system designates five categories for different age groups. A stands for all ages, B for ages 12 and up, C for ages 15 and up, D means 17 and up. Games with the strictest rating, Z, are not supposed to be sold to anyone under 18 years of age. Retailers have been asked to voluntarily verify the ages of those buying Z-rated games.

According to CESA's survey, of the retailers polled 95.1 percent do verify age for Z-rated game purchases. Furthermore, 85.3 percent of the retailers said they took the added precaution of placing the Z-rated games in a separate area of the store. When asked if they understood the overall rating system, 91.2 percent responded that they "understood" or "more or less understood."