A scene that series creator Hideo Kojima says was essential to the game’s anti-war and anti-nuke message was cut from the Japanese version of Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker in order to secure a C rating from Japan's own ratings board. Kojima didn’t elaborate on the scene in question when he announced the cut on his Twitter feed, but he did say the offending content would be available in the U.S. and European versions of the game.
“The PSP is supported by the younger generation,” he wrote. “That is why we avoided the animation of bloodspill. However, 'A Scene' that is critical and essential to the series was pointed out by the rating board. No matter how much the game emphasized an anti-war and anti-nuke message didn't matter at all. In disappointment, that scene was edited for the Japanese version. The European and U.S versions still include this scene though."
The game is getting a T rating from the ESRB. In Japan, it’s getting a C from CERO, that country’s equivalent ratings board. Under a C rating, the game has been judged to be appropriate for players ages 15 and older. Had it not been cut, Peace Walker likely would have received a D rating, which would have bumped the recommended age to 17.
It will be interesting to see exactly what was offensive about the scene in question. It’s probable that it included a depiction of an atomic blast, given the country’s understandable sensitivity to the subject. Fallout 3 underwent cuts before its release in that country, one of which included the ability for players to detonate the nuclear bomb in town of Megaton.