Before anyone defends it by saying "It doesn't have to be sexual. They're just swimsuits," please scroll down on the official Gust page for the DLC to see what kind of poses they attempt to sell their costume DLC with:
here.
How can you say this when their marketing for their costume DLC includes images like these?
Is there anything inherently wrong about high school girls being shown in swimsuits? Of course not. That's seen in normal life around the world. Is there something wrong with selling costumes to a (let's not even pretend—you have to even confirm your age of birth to view the trailer on PSN) largely older male audience that depict young girls on swimsuit costumes? I think yes. Is it supposed to be completely innocent and devoid of sexual depictions of these characters? I think no.
I did address what you mention about the industry, which I think is honestly related, in the OP with a couple linked articles. The argument comes down to "Do you feel that the sexualization of fictional minors contributes to problems with real sexual crimes with underage girls?" That's the debatable part, but I believe there is no doubt of what they are selling here with this costume DLC.
Once again reality is going to pop in its ugly head and say that swimsuits and posing go hand in hand. Its a common trope whenever swimsuits are involved. Now if one gets aroused or not thats a whole different story which has to do with the problem said individual has.
Honestly its not too had to go digging up "shock value" articles on anything if you search for it then go "the sky is falling" while acting shocked. Its no different for any country. Hell for example with the way Kotaku used to write about Japan you would think the country is only filled with Otaku Waifu Full Body Pillows, Panty Vending Machines and Pocky. Oh and Arcades.
I could dig up shit that would make you not want to leave your apartment honestly in terms of crime news and other such. Would make you think the country is filled with psychopathic murders waiting to skin you alive with whatever sharp object they could get their hands on.
Its like how the news makes the US seem like the wild west when it is hardly that. I never once been shot at or had to shoot someone else in self defense. Did have to go sit in with the SWAT guys during a hostage situation due to them using a location as the staging area, but that was just by chance and normally would have had nothing to do with myself otherwise.
For the whole sexualization of minors things whats hilarious is Ive seen more articles come out lately as in this year 2017, from the US about teachers having "inappropriate relations" with their students. Then again its not as if Im actively looking for the articles as it just pops up in the news feeds since the media doesnt have anything else better to report on outside of Trump, Russia or Shootings.
Am sure the only reason the govt is pretending to give a shit about any of this stuff is due to the Olympics coming up and they will be under an even larger microscope than the internet boom provided. Which is a good thing as the country does have various issues which need to be dealt with. Only problem is those in charge are generally not the sharpest tools in the shed and make the most odd type of decisions when attempting to patch work fix something in this country. If it wasnt for that they would have been perfectly happy sitting around doing absolutely nothing besides roll around on our tax money. (most likely naked and covered in caviar)
As others mentioned what you are trying to show here is far more tame than what can be bought on a normal basis such as the example given which is mangas. Even something like Shokugeki no Soma a manga about cooking / food has clothes bursting off both male and female "highschool students" and more so in "sexual" poses for females.
Is it right? Honestly I dont give a shit since it doesnt bother me. Does it bother other people sure does. As know a few folks who do not want to read the manga due to that which is fine too, but at the same time they dont go freaking out acting like the sky is falling and society in whole is doomed due to it and understand that its obviously something which is not marketed towards them as a reader.
Though this being a forum its part of the experience to voice ones opinion on such matters, but at the same time you are going to have to expect pushback if you do not have a strong case presented. As mentioned in previous post. But the discussion is what matters with the multiple viewpoints and what can be taken away from said discussion.
For my experience within the JP HS system for about 3 months back in 99 we had more problems with teachers dishing out physical punishment than actual incidents of sexual advances towards students. There was a case 2 years prior and when it was found out that teacher was shitcanned instantly and public apology sent out ASAP. Though with that part of the reason for the quick response is due to the prestige of the school also. So mileage may vary depending on the school. As those the first scenario in P5 that is also a pretty realistic one as have heard similar stories from other JP teachers in country that generally despise that sort scandals and which is why they transfer to new districts and such.
A large other part of the whole problem with incidents vs reports is how useless the law / justice system is in Japan along with other cultural issues that also tie into that. Internet outrage and the piss poor protesting attempts that usually take place in front of the metroP govt office are not exactly going to change things with that.
