Arrests conducted with prefectural police in 29 prefectures.
The Association of Copyright for Computer Software (ACCS) announced on Monday that the Japanese National Police Agency, in coordination with 29 prefectural police agencies, arrested 44 individuals between February 16-18 for violation of the Japanese Copyright Act due to unauthorized uploading and sharing of copyrighted material such as movies, music, anime, manga, and business and productivity software through file-sharing software.
The ACCS lists some of the details of the arrests made after searches of 93 locations, which include:
- 34-year old male part-time worker in Tokyo (uploaded Lupin III: Tōhō Kenbunroku ~Another Page~ anime via Share)
- 39-year old male office worker in Kanagawa (uploaded first episode of Isuca anime via Share)
- 30-year old unemployed man in Osaka (uploaded 39th volume of Kingdom manga via Share)
- 52-year old male office worker in Hyogo (uploaded 31st volume of Yamikin Ushijima-kun manga via Share)
- 39-year old self-employed man in Hiroshima (uploaded first volume of Golden Time light novel via Share)
- 46-year old male office worker in Okayama (uploaded 17th volume of Attack on Titan manga, and seventh volume of SP – Keishichō Keigobu Keigoka Daiyon-gakari manga via Share)
- 39-year old male part-time worker in Kagawa (uploaded 35th volume of Bleach color version manga via Share)
- 55-year old male office worker in Nagasaki (uploaded Speed Learning Beginner/Vol.2 English for Travelers via LimeWire)
More from Anime News Network:

Japanese police file charges against illegal anime girl huggy pillow cover seller
Police in Japan arrest five men connected with illegal upload of One Piece manga and translation
Five Chinese nationals arrested in Japan for translating manga, games for distribution
Japan’s most-wanted manga pirate arrested in the Philippines, facing deportation
Japanese manga publishers file lawsuit in New York against four pirate sites
Japan’s final Penguin Suica train cards have already shipped, and when they’re gone, they’re gone
Farewell Final Ceremony announced for Tokyo’s life-size Gundam statue, will stream live
Japan approves foreign resident visa renewal fee increases of up to 967 percent, starts soon
Hobonichi unveils new 2027 planners, diaries and stationery with One Piece, Suica Penguin, Hello Kitty and a must-buy Mini Techo
Nonstop flights from U.S. to Okinawa return after 54 years, making travel faster than before
Anime and Hollywood movies cross over in new Universal Studios Japan merch collection
Starbucks Japan adds a gooey sweet potato Frappuccino to its menu this autumn
Starting this fall, you’ll be able to take a Pokémon Jet flight to Japan
Godiva Japan hops into tsukimi season with bunny and moon-themed chocolate assortments
McDonald’s Japan reveals exclusive new Tsukimi moon viewing collection for 2026
7-year-old boy left behind on Mt. Fuji by his own dad
Sushi Bus: Japan’s first conveyor-belt bus lets you eat sushi while sightseeing around Tokyo
Japan tripled its departure tax to fund tourism but is using the money on cherry blossoms and bears
Nike x One Piece collection brings Devil Fruits to sneakers and streetwear in Japan
Anime fans can now wear a Seiko watch inspired by Japan’s One Piece Shinkansen
Foreign hiker on Mt. Fuji loses consciousness and dies, becoming climbing season’s second fatality
We recommend not buying one pack of Japan’s new convenience store corn soup-flavor fried chicken
Police in Japan looking for who’s responsible for dumping 80 loaves of bread on side of road [Video]
Japan’s double-decker portable rice cooker/bento maker is better than ever with new version
12-year-old British girl who went missing in Tokyo found safe after visiting anime sites around Yokohama
Air-conditioned dress shirts arrive in Japan to save working professionals from sweltering heat
Pokémon Center Online designates first Pokémon items that will require Japanese ID card to buy
Japanese toilet aims to attract foreign tourists but not everybody is happy about it
Tokyo’s newest viral dessert is like a Japanese parfait inside a bread bun [Taste test]
New Japanese vending machine at Shinkansen station sells cups of ice on platform
Study finds hundreds of people in Indonesia legally named after Naruto, Inuyasha, other anime stars
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Tokyo subway installing new ticket gates that don’t accept payment through Suica or other IC cards
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
Foreign resident arrested in Japan for illegally BitTorrent uploading anime
Japanese lawyer: Making cosplay for others is copyright infringement
Japan’s most-wanted manga pirate forcibly repatriated, arrested as he enters Japanese airspace【Vid】
Japanese police make first-ever YouTuber arrest for uploading video game gameplay videos
Japanese net users react to online survey results about how men store their naughty files
Otaku Internet services: For all your online Japanese geekery needs