Japan Top Court Sides With Tattoo Artist In Test Case
Umer Jamshaid Published September 18, 2020 | 01:06 PM
Japan's top court has sided with a tattoo artist who was fined for practising without a medical licence, in a case that revived debate about the country's uneasy relationship with body ink
Tokyo (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 18th Sep, 2020 ) :Japan's top court has sided with a tattoo artist who was fined for practising without a medical licence, in a case that revived debate about the country's uneasy relationship with body ink.
Though tattoos have a long history in Japan and the nation has long boasted leading artists, body ink is still often associated with "anti-social" elements, particularly members of criminal groups known as the yakuza.
People with tattoos are often prevented from using public facilities like swimming pools or baths, and in 2015, Osaka tattooist Taiki Masuda was arrested for allegedly violating the Medical Practioners' Act by tattooing people without a doctor's licence.
Masuda was fined 150,000 Yen ($1,400) by an Osaka district court, but the ruling was overturned on appeal in 2018.
Prosecutors decided to take it to the Supreme Court, which this week rejected their appeal, a court spokeswoman told AFP on Friday.
The Supreme Court backed the earlier ruling that tattooing should not require a doctor's licence because it carries little risk of injury or health problems.
"Tattooing is not considered medical treatment nor an act linked to health care," the verdict upheld by the Supreme Court said.
The upheld ruling noted tattooing is "a practice seen since ancient times as part of regional customs" in Japan.
While there is still widespread aversion to tattoos in much of Japanese society, attitudes have started to change, especially after the country hosted the 2019 Rugby World Cup.
The event featured a large number of players sporting tattoos, including Samoans for whom the body art is an important part of their culture.
kh/sah/qan
Recent Stories
Punjab CM inaugurates Pakistan’s first Virtual Women Police Station
Dutch model Donny Roelvink embraces Islam
Experts raise concerns over introduction of 10-stick packs
Iranian president arrives in Karachi
Law Minister expresses Govt's resolve to address issue of missing persons
Rizwan’s batting order may be changed: Sources
Nawaz Sharif to visit Guangzhou exhibition in China
FM Dar not traveling to China: Foreign Office
PM takes notice of deliberate delay in tax cases
Iranian President visits Allama Iqbal’s mausoleum
Iranian President arrives in Lahore today
Currency Rate In Pakistan - Dollar, Euro, Pound, Riyal Rates On 23 April 2024
More Stories From World
-
Maduro announces return of UN rights office to Venezuela
19 minutes ago -
Large crowds march against Argentina public university cuts
29 minutes ago -
Football: Italian Cup result
59 minutes ago -
Football: English Premier League result
59 minutes ago -
Talks on global plastic treaty begin in Canada
59 minutes ago -
US markets rise for second straight day as sentiment improves
59 minutes ago
-
Asia hit hardest by climate change, extreme weather: UN weather agency
1 hour ago -
Migrant boat capsizes off Djibouti leaving 21 dead
7 hours ago -
Tesla profits tumble 55% as EV sales under pressure
7 hours ago -
Talks on global plastic treaty begin in Canada
8 hours ago -
Migrant deportations loom after parliament passes UK-Rwanda plan
8 hours ago -
Macron in last-ditch bid to halt EU vote battering
8 hours ago