Japan’s Supreme Court Rules Tattooing Is Not A Medical Act

Okay the headline might mean nothing to you, but let me explain it to you - tattooing is looked down upon in Japan, its very difficult to get a tattoo there and previously very hard to get a licences for acting preforming the act of giving one.

JapanTimes Reports:

 The Supreme Court has ruled for the first time that tattooing people without a medical license does not constitute a violation of the medical practitioners law.

In the decision, handed down on Wednesday, the top court’s Second Petty Bench turned down an appeal by public prosecutors over a suit against Taiki Masuda, a 32-year-old man who tattooed three people. It finalizes a high court ruling that overturned a district court verdict fining the man ¥150,000.

Prosecutors had argued that tattooing people can be considered a medical act, and that tattooists must therefore have medical licenses. Masuda did not have a medical license.

The Second Petty Bench defined medical acts as “actions considered medical treatment or health guidance that could cause hygienic harm if not done by doctors.” It then said that “tattoos require artistic skills different from medicine, and that it cannot be assumed that doctors do the act exclusively,” concluding that the practice is not a medical act.

 

With a culture that is rich and fascinating -- tattooing now has a place in Japan. It wasn't until the 1930's that Japan actually changed there thought on tattoos. I believe this will give so many artists in Japan will thrive in this new field and the art of expressing themselves will be used correctly and wisely.