Eirin (映倫) is the abbreviated name for Eiga Rinri Kanri Iinkai (映画倫理管理委員会), Japan's movie regulator. Eirin was established on the model of the American MPPDA 's Production Code Administration in June, 1949, on the instructions of the US Occupation force. The original name, Eiga Rinri Kitei Kanri Iinkai (Motion Picture Code of Ethics Committee), was condensed after independence, during reorganisations in 1956, to Eirin Kanri Iinkai, but was already colloquially known as Eirin.

Eirin serves the same purpose in Japan as the MPAA does in America, and the BBFC does in the United Kingdom: to classify films depending on their suitability to minors, depending on whether they contain sexual or violent material. Such classification has been described as censorship by some, since a film that is denied certification by Eirin is effectively unreleaseable. In practice, films are nonetheless released, with "offending items" fogged or digitally tiled. This is the source of some bemusement in Japan, which has traditionally taken erotica in its stride.

Just as with equivalent organisations in other countries, Eirin's defenders argue that its independence shields film makers from the more draconian alternative, political censorship by government. In the case of the controversial film Battle Royale, director Kinji Fukasaku seemed to accept this view, when he withdrew an objection to Eirin's R-15 rating of his film, to support Eirin against threats from politicians over the film.

Eirin has in the past denied the release of certain films to theaters entirely, such as Fujiwara Kei 's grotesque horror film Organ, which was released directly to video amidst protests from family watchdog groups.

During the opening credits of an Eirin-approved film, the Eirin logo is displayed prominently underneath the movie's title.

External links

• Eirin's homepage (Japanese & English)
• http://www.midnighteye.com/interviews/kinji_fukasaku.shtml