*Note: This article discusses adult-oriented games. Please exercise caution when reading the main text and viewing the linked content.
The indie game development circle “Mistilteinn” reported on its official X account that it had briefed lawmakers and officials from the Financial Services Agency on issues such as “debanking”—the inability to receive revenue from overseas game sales into Japanese bank accounts.
Information Sharing for Other Development Groups Also in the Works
Mistilteinn is the development circle behind the adult-oriented game *Loop Train* (link contains adult content—viewer discretion advised), released in July 2023. The game is a 3D touch-based simulation set in train stations and crowded trains, and as of this writing, has sold 56,135 copies on DLsite.
On this occasion, the studio reportedly explained to lawmakers and officials from the Financial Services Agency the two issues it has faced: so-called “debanking”—the inability to receive revenue from overseas game sales via platforms like Steam through Japanese banks—and the inability to open bank accounts due to the studio’s handling of adult-oriented works.
On August 5, 2026, the circle reported that it had been unable to receive overseas sales revenue for approximately one and a half years and revealed that, in addition to dealing with this situation, it had struggled with its tax burden.
Politician Yoshiyuki Kurishita, who cited this post, pointed out the issue that even if income earned overseas cannot be received due to debanking, taxes are still levied on those sales. “Politicians must turn their attention to the injustices occurring in the gaps of the tax system,” he commented.
It’s worth noting that Nupu Ryu, the developer behind the hit adult title *Yariste Mesubuta*, also addressed the issue at the same time—namely, that even if a bank refuses to accept revenue deposits, the revenue itself is still subject to tax obligations.
Then, on October 28, Mistilteinn announced that it would soon compile a list of actions that circles affected by the debanking issue can take under the current circumstances. Although they have prepared an article and a template, they stated that there are discrepancies between the methods they heard from Financial Services Agency officials and the actual specifications of the web page, so they are currently verifying the details and will need a little more time before publication.
