Former Japanese Porn Director Wins Oscar

TOKYO — Porn stars crossing over to achieve mainstream success isn’t just limited to the ranks of performers, or America. At the 81st Academy Awards held last week in Hollywood, Calif., a former Japanese porn director took home the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film.

Yojiro Takita won the award for his film “Departures,” which chronicles the life of a cellist-turned-apprentice undertaker, but his salad days were spent in Japan’s adult film industry.

According to Variety.com, Takita directed “a popular series of porn comedies about commuter-train molesters.” His first title, in English, translates to “Female Teacher Molestor,” and others translate into “The Tightly Bound” and “Molestor Train: Peach Buttocks.”

The 60-minute softcore films are called pinku eiga in Japan. Takita started making such films in 1981 and continued until his first mainstream feature in 1986.

"There may be pressure on me because of the Academy Award," Takita told reporters. "But I'll just keep doing what I do, trusting in my own instincts. I want to continue to make good movies — I don't want to go through life as a has-been."

Takita became the first Japanese filmmaker to receive the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film in more than five decades.

Related:  

Copyright © 2026 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

On the Set: Ricky Greenwood Goes Intergalactic With 'Mega Perv'

Somewhere on the mean streets of Downtown Los Angeles, Scott Nails wears a Speedo while being chased by a giant scrotum that resembles the boulder Indiana Jones narrowly escaped in "Raiders of the Lost Ark."

Jessi Rae Performs Her 1st Anal in 'Equilibrium' Finale From Deeper

Jessi Rae performs her first anal scene, opposite multi-XMAs winner Alex Jones, in the final installment of “Equilibrium,” from Vixen Media Group’s studio imprint Deeper.

Melissa Stratton Headlines 5th Volume of 'Massage Parlor' From Reality Junkies

Melissa Stratton toplines the fifth volume of "Massage Parlor" from Mile High Media studio imprint Reality Junkies.

Private Releases 7th Volume of 'Private Gangbangs'

Private has released the seventh volume of “Private Gangbangs,” directed by Xavi Rocka.

ERIKALUST Releases 'Dancing on My Own'

Tula Vida stars with Julia Roca in the latest release from ERIKALUST, titled “Dancing on My Own.”

Miss Teela Toplines Latest Volume of Angelo Godshack's 'Hardcore Gangbangs'

Miss Teela headlines the eighth volume of director Angelo Godshack's "Hardcore Gangbangs," from Evil Angel.

Hazel Moore, Elizabeth Skylar Topline Latest 'Student Teacher Relations' From Sweetheart Video

Hazel Moore and Elizabeth Skylar headline the third volume of “Student Teacher Relations” from Mile High Media studio imprint Sweetheart Video.

Cheerleader Kait Stars in Latest From Elegant Angel

Cheerleader Kait stars with reigning and three-time XMAs Male Performer of the Year Vince Karter in the latest release from Elegant Angel, titled “You Want It Deeper?”

Rachel Rampage Makes Her Jules Jordan Debut

Rachel Rampage has made her debut for Jules Jordan Video alongside Manuel Ferrara.

Zoey Uso, Demi Hawks & Skylar Snow Front Latest From Girlsway

Zoey Uso, Demi Hawks, and Skylar Snow star in the latest Girlsway release, titled “Perky and Perfect.”

Show More