The answer to this seems to be that pornography is actually illegal in Japan, with the porn that does exist either being censored or being made in ways that have loopholes around the laws.
Anime and light novels get advertised on TV and radio, and in Japan you need a license from the government to get shown on broadcast media. So I could see production companies trying desperately to avoid a pornography designation while still getting close to the edge.
The answer to this seems to be that pornography is actually illegal in Japan, with the porn that does exist either being censored or being made in ways that have loopholes around the laws.
Anime and light novels get advertised on TV and radio, and in Japan you need a license from the government to get shown on broadcast media. So I could see production companies trying desperately to avoid a pornography designation while still getting close to the edge.
Ishuzoku Reviewers literally had multiple explicit sex scenes in every episode - but it was fine because they didn't show penetration.
That show is way too good for what it is. It's actually funny too, which anime is often bad at (outside of Gintama)
Don't forget Nichijo