CBLDF Executive Director Charles Brownstein to Visit Tokyo for Manga Freedom Speaking Tour

Manga-is-not-a-crime-300x300This weekend, CBLDF Executive Director Charles Brownstein will literally travel to the other side of the world — to Tokyo, Japan — for a series of lectures and meetings on manga and free expression, hosted by Comic Market (Comiket), Comitia, the Institute for Contents Culture, and the Uguisu Ribbon Campaign. While in Japan, Brownstein will also meet with experts and professionals in the manga industry in order to give CBLDF readers insight into the opposition and support that manga receives in Japan.

The tour kicks off at Comiket 84, the world’s largest exhibition of comics — the event is expected to attract more than half a million attendees! In addition to viewing thousands of doujinshi, attendees can join Brownstein at 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 11, to hear him talk about free expression issues facing manga and how fans in the United States and Japan can band together to protect the rights of the medium and its readers. The talk will take place at the Tokyo Big Sight West Atrium, and CBLDF Members who attend the presentation will receive a special thank you gift.

On Tuesday, August 13, Brownstein will present alongside the Svetlana Mintcheva, the Director of Programs for the National Coalition Against Censorship, at the International Symposium on Freedom of Manga Culture. This sold-out symposium will examine legal issues pertaining to manga and the threats posed to creators and to readers of manga by regulations in North America and elsewhere. The symposium takes place at Bunkyo Civic Center 26th floor Sky Hall at 1:00 p.m., and Brownstein’s appearance is co-sponsored by ICC and Uguisu Ribbon.

Finally, on Sunday, August 18, Brownstein’s tour will conclude with a CBLDF display at Comitia 105, an exhibition of original manga creations.

As time allows, Brownstein will be blogging and posting photos from his adventures in Tokyo on the CBLDF tumblr and here at CBLDF.org. Stay tuned for updates from Brownstein as he takes the fight for free expression to Japan!

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