TOKYO--The influence of violent or crime-filled games on young players is a hot-button issue in the gaming industry the world over these days. Japan's Computer Entertainment Supplier's Association (CESA) has been key in supporting that country's game industry throughout the debate, and as host of the annual Tokyo Game Show, it looks to examine the issue in further depth.

　　CESA today announced that one of its stage events on day two of this year's TGS will be dedicated to the discussion of the CERO rating system, which is the Japanese equivalent of the ESRB ratings. The discussion will be hosted by Yoichi Wada, president of Square Enix and vice CEO of CESA, with presentations from a number of specialists in the study of how games affect society and young audiences. Among the specialists is CERO administrative director Shunko Muto.

　　CESA also revealed the exhibit layout for this year's Tokyo Game Show. Sony Computer Entertainment once again has the biggest booth at the show, followed by Sega, Konami, and Namco. Namco will be sharing its booth with Bandai, which it will be merging with on September 29.

　　Surprisingly, Microsoft's booth will be a bit smaller than the aforementioned publishers, despite the company's repeated insistence that it's taking the Japanese market seriously. Still, the company will have the fifth largest booth at the show. On the other hand, Square Enix, which usually has one of the largest presences at the show, will have an extremely small booth--about half the size of Taito's, a company Square Enix recently announced its intention to acquire. The role-playing giant already showed off its latest and upcoming games last month at its own show, Square Enix Party 2005.

　　The Tokyo Game Show will take place at the Makuhari Convention Center in Chiba prefecture September 16-18. The first day is open to industry affiliates only, but day two and three will be open to the public. Tickets are available for advance sale at 1,000 yen ($9) and can also be purchased at the show for 1,200 yen ($11).