Japanese Porn Industry Reportedly Recovering From COVID-Related Shutdown

Japanese Porn Industry Reportedly Recovering From COVID-Related Shutdown

TOKYO — Part of the Japanese porn industry experienced a shutdown this summer over positive COVID-19 tests, according to reports and industry sources.

Details of the shutdown are difficult to obtain, but XBIZ spoke with multiple local sources who confirmed a report that the COVID-related shutdown did happen.

One of the sources within the Japanese “adult video” (AV) industry said that the shutdown happened back in July, with production only resuming slowly in the past few weeks.

Reports of the shutdown first reached the U.S. last week via English-language Japanese tabloid Tokyo Reporter, which headlined “Japan’s Porn Industry Adapts to Pandemic After Stars Test Positive.”

Tokyo Reporter’s Kenji Nakano quoted Japanese-language tabloid Flash’s interview with Mikio Kawai, the director of the AV Human Rights Ethics Organization (AV Human Rights), a local equivalent to the Free Speech Coalition (FSC) but with a narrower scope.

Kawai explained that “that industry’s existing preventative measures regarding sexually transmitted diseases has made it ‘accustomed’ to similar courses of action needed for coronavirus at shoots.”

A Touchy Subject

XBIZ spoke with an AV industry insider, who said matters like this are “a touchy subject” for an industry operating in a gray legal area in Japan, at a time when authorities are engaged in sweeping “anti-crime” campaigns against traditional “vice” categories.

The AV industry, the source explained, is comprised of many different groups, but AV Human Rights and Intellectual Property Promotion Association (IPPA) are “more or less the main serious attempts at self-regulation” in the face of encroaching government threats.

According to this source, the COVID-19 outbreak was linked to four professional performers, at least one of them male, connected to companies that are part of IPPA.

“No one knows the full extent of the outbreak, as ‘shiroto’ (amateur talents) are not being tracked,” the insider told XBIZ.

The pros, however, did notify the companies they shot for and were planning to shoot for, as soon as they tested positive, and a production halt was called.

According to local stories, those performers had attended a socially distanced barbecue before their positive tests. However, an AV Human Rights representative claimed that the four performers “were infected in separate cases,” explaining that the infections were not the result of a “cluster.”

AV Industry Moving Cautiously Forward

After the halt, companies are either still on hold or moving cautiously forward, the source said.

“The ‘above-board’ companies are trying to take safe guards, like temperature testing, PCR testing, reduced staff, everyone in masks except for talent, frequent ventilation breaks,” they added.

But these “legit” companies (aka, "in the system”) fail to account for a big slice of the biz. Many companies using “shiroto” are not being tracked, and as they are not fee-paying members of IPPA, they do not get the association’s help.

The IPPA's role is to self-regulate an industry that has had a less-than-stellar history of handling issues with talent, including holding them financially responsible for losses due to production cancellations.

“Thats why IPPA has publicly announced the four actors who had tested positive would not have to reimburse the companies for the canceled shoots,” the AV industry insider told XBIZ. “IPPA wanted to make it clear there would be no bills for them.”

Cluster Panic

Another source pointed out that the COVID-related halt only concerned the “straight” side of the Japanese industry.

“The gay and straight industries are completely separated,” said this second source. “All I know is the gay industry is still ongoing with its shoots. Temperature is measured before every shooting, and alcohol sprayed on every surface between every takes.”

However, according to other sources, there is a small number of Japanese male performers who work on straight, gay and trans productions.

After the straight companies had slowly resumed shooting, an AV insider told Flash, “polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests were performed on the staff and all the performers at those shoots. Ongoing shoots were halted until the staff members and performers tested negative.”

“The AV industry is looked upon harshly by the eyes of the public,” another AV insider told the Shukan Post newspaper. “So, if a cluster of infections occur, it will affect the survival of the industry. Actresses may retire due to fear of infection, so the people involved are being very careful.”

Related:  

Copyright © 2024 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

Lauren Phillips Interviewed on 'Adult Time Podcast'

Reigning XBIZ MILF Performer of the Year Lauren Phillips is interviewed on the latest episode of the "Adult Time Podcast," hosted by studio CCO Bree Mills.

Kazumi: It's Her World - We Just Live in It!

Kazumi eases herself into the passenger seat as we get ready to leave the inaugural X3 magazine cover photo shoot, for which she has been specially selected from among the entire firmament of adult entertainers.

Sara Jay, Dan Leal to Co-Host Heineken Brewery Tour, XBIZ Amsterdam 'Performers' Rights' Panel

Sara Jay and "Porno" Dan Leal will co-host a tour of the historic Heineken brewing factory on Tuesday, Sept. 3 at 1 p.m., during the XBIZ Amsterdam conference.

Golden Era Performer Annette Heinz Passes Away

Golden Era performer Annette Heinz has passed away at 71, according to industry friends and associates.

Vixen, Julmodels to Host 'Club Vixen' Party at XBIZ Amsterdam

Vixen Media Group and premier European talent agency Julmodels will once again team up to host a lavish party at XBIZ Amsterdam: Club Vixen, set to take place the evening of Sept. 4.

Whitney OC Stars in 2nd Installment of Seth Gamble's 'VHSex'

Whitney OC stars in the second installment of reigning XBIZ Performer of the Year Seth Gamble's "VHSex," from LucidFlix.

Princess Emily, Willow Ryder 'Twerk It' for Ricky's Room

Princess Emily and Willow Ryder star in the latest release from Ricky's Room, titled "Twerk It Like You Mean It."

Cherie DeVille Lambasts Laila Mickelwait's Anti-Pornhub Book in New Op-Ed

2023 XBIZ Performer of the Year Cherie DeVille has penned a new opinion piece for The Daily Beast, about a new book by religiously motivated anti-Pornhub crusader Laila Mickelwait.

Texas Patti Is 'En Pointe' in Latest From Twistys

Texas Patti stars with Lily Lou in the latest release from Twistys, titled "En Pointe Passion."

Brittany Andrews Makes Her Jules Jordan Debut With Lexington Steele

Brittany Andrews makes her Jules Jordan debut alongside Lexington Steele in the studio's latest release.

Show More