Japanese State Bans 'Grand Theft Auto'

Selling or renting Rockstar Games' Grand Theft Auto 3 to minors is now illegal in the Kanagawa state of Japan after the government deemed that it was too violent and harmful to younger gamers. Since being introduced in Japan in September of 2003, nearly 350,000 copies of the game have been sold.

Restrictions were placed on GTA 3 after officials expressed concern that children would mimic the game's actions. As part of the restrictions, the game must be separated from other "safer" titles, and will now have a "Harmful" sticker on the front of the box, similar to the Parental Advisory stickers on U.S. music titles. In order to purchase GTA 3, a person must be 18 years of age or older.