Japan's Adult Industry: A 70-Billion-Tax Economic Pillar – What Draws Diverse Women to the Field?

In recent years, Japanese society has witnessed a notable trend: an increasing number of young women—whether from affluent families or top academic achievers—are abandoning traditional career paths to enter the adult film industry. This phenomenon has sparked widespread attention, and the reasons behind it are complex, primarily boiling down to two key factors.

On one hand, Japanese society, influenced by Western culture, has adopted relatively liberal attitudes toward gender and sexuality. On the other hand, the country's prolonged economic stagnation has intensified competition in the job market, making it increasingly difficult for women to secure stable employment. As a result, many turn to the adult entertainment industry as a means of livelihood.

Although the legality of Japan's adult industry leads many to assume that women enter this field voluntarily, the reality is far more troubling. Many are lured into the industry by promises of becoming "stars" or "models," only to find themselves trapped with no way out. Under the smooth talk of so-called "talent scouts," they sign contracts that ruin their lives, ultimately becoming ensnared in the world of pornography.

Why has Japan's pornography industry expanded so rapidly over the past century? What hidden dark realities lie behind its rise? And in the context of Japan's prolonged economic downturn, why are women disproportionately affected?

When discussing Japan's pornography industry, its post-World War II development is particularly noteworthy. As a defeated Axis power, Japan faced numerous restrictions and sanctions imposed by the United States. The U.S. mandated that Japan could not rebuild its military forces while simultaneously requiring it to bear postwar reparations.

With its military-industrial sector unable to generate revenue, the Japanese government turned to other industries—particularly the adult entertainment sector—to rapidly revive the economy. The pornography industry soon became one of Japan's economic pillars. It is estimated that the Japanese government earns up to $70 billion annually from this industry, a figure unmatched by nearly any other country in the world.

In stark contrast to the legal stance of our country, Japan's pornography industry is not only not banned but also receives government support. To attract foreign tourists, the Japanese government has established "red-light districts" in several cities across the nation—areas specifically dedicated to providing adult entertainment services, which fully illustrates the government's tacit endorsement of this industry.

Beyond policy support, the rapid development of Japan's pornography industry is also closely tied to the low status of women. Influenced by long-standing patriarchal norms, many women in families can only endure in silence. Faced with their husbands' infidelity and indulgence, they feel powerless and often have no choice but to quietly bear it.

However, as social attitudes gradually shift, more and more women believe that rather than remaining subservient in the household, they might as well seek freedom and financial independence in the adult entertainment industry. Yet, despite many women entering this profession, their social status has not improved. Instead, it is men who continue to reap the pleasures of this system.

To showcase their status and prowess, men often bring beautiful geishas to banquets. However, as competition in the industry intensifies, the services provided by geishas have expanded beyond traditional entertainment—such as singing, conversation, and drinking—to increasingly incorporate erotic elements. This shift has further fueled the growth of the pornography industry.

The third factor lies in the Japanese government's policy missteps in the post-war era. After World War II, the Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers (GHQ) implemented a series of measures aimed at reforming Japanese society. Recognizing the excessive dominance of men and the suppression of women's rights, GHQ pushed the Japanese government to enact policies for women's liberation.

Although these measures were well-intentioned, their overly radical implementation provoked strong backlash among men, fueling a surge of misogynistic sentiment across society. By the 1980s, many men chose to remain single, abandoning traditional marriage as a means to fulfill their sexual needs and turning instead to pornography. It was during this period that Japan's adult film industry entered its golden age of expansion.

Today, Japan produces thousands of adult films annually, generating billions of RMB in revenue. Yet behind this colossal industry lies the immense exploitation of women's lives and dignity. A growing number of performers have revealed in interviews that they did not enter the industry willingly—many were deceived into joining.

Behind the scenes, numerous companies disguise themselves as "talent scouts," prowling youth-centric districts like Harajuku and Shibuya to lure young women into signing contracts. Once trapped, these women find themselves caught in a vicious cycle of coercion and fraud. Reports indicate that agencies frequently resort to threats, blackmail, and even physical violence to force performers into increasingly extreme and degrading scenes. The industry's "AV debt system" deliberately keeps women financially dependent, while non-consensual filming and contract breaches run rampant.

Despite Japan's 2017 anti-pornography legislation, enforcement remains lax. Victims who attempt to escape often face exorbitant penalty fees or retaliatory leaks of private footage. This systemic abuse has led to severe psychological trauma, with suicide rates among performers alarmingly high. The glittering facade of Japan's adult entertainment empire, it seems, is built upon endless cycles of exploitation and despair.

These talent scouts lure young women by praising their beauty and potential, convincing them they could become actresses or models. Only after signing contracts do the girls realize they’ve been funneled into the adult industry—forced to perform in pornographic films against their will. When attempting to terminate their contracts, they often face threats and violence. Some victims have reported being raped and blackmailed with footage to coerce compliance, with threats of leaking the videos to family and friends. Even when seeking police help, authorities’ indifference leaves them without recourse.

Amid Japan’s prolonged economic stagnation and cutthroat job market, women grapple not only with systemic gender inequality but also with dire financial pressures. Many young women resort to low-wage jobs or "paid dating" (sugar daddy arrangements) just to survive. Meanwhile, the surge in protection orders filed by married women highlights a disturbing trend: husbands, buckling under economic stress, increasingly take out their frustrations through domestic violence.

Strained by the need to sustain their households, countless women are trapped in underpaid work. The lack of affordable childcare forces them into an impossible choice—family or career—leaving them exhausted and voiceless. Behind Japan’s glossy facade of gender progress, these women remain shackled by a system that profits from their desperation.

In recent years, the Japanese government has come to recognize that maintaining women's subordinate status in society is unsustainable. In an attempt to revitalize the economy, authorities have turned to tourism as a growth engine, hoping to create more job opportunities for women. However, this approach fails to address the root causes of gender inequality.

True change can only come from a fundamental shift in societal attitudes. Japan must ensure women receive equal rights and respect—both in the workplace and at home—through comprehensive reforms. This includes enforcing pay equity, expanding childcare support, and cracking down on gender-based exploitation. Token economic measures like tourism initiatives are insufficient; what's needed is a systemic overhaul that dismantles the patriarchal structures keeping women marginalized. Until then, Japan's gender gap will remain a stain on its modern identity.