The "kansai enko" case not only resulted in prison for its perpetrators but also acted as a catalyst for a major societal and legal shift. Before the case, the viewing of child pornography was not a crime in Japan. The case unveiled a massive network of customers, including doctors, teachers, and even a secretary to a member of the Diet (Japan's national legislature). It revealed that the demand was not coming solely from the fringes of society.
While mainstream media historically focused on Tokyo's bustling districts like Shibuya and Shinjuku as the epicenters of this subculture, the practice developed a unique identity in western Japan, known as . Regional Identity: Kanto vs. Kansai Enko kansai enko