The Asahi Shimbun newspaper (via Anime News Network) reports that the Democratic Party of Japan will postpone the vote on the proposed ban on sexually provocative images of characters who sound, or appear to be under the age of 18.

According to ANN, the DPJ, current controlling party in the Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly, will continue deliberations with the assembly's General Affairs Committee past the current legislative session. Dan Kanemitsu, who met with the DPJ to discuss the bill last week, noted that the bill would be dead until at least June, if this is the case.

Arguments from DPJ members, as well as many manga creators state that the bill violates freedom of expression. The bill's proponents originally hoped to have the bill voted in by the General Affairs Committee on Friday, with a full assembly vote proceeding on March 30.