Japan's Pedophilic Industries
An insight into the reality of the most seemingly cute and innocent culture.
A Brief History
Some context into Japan's past with sexualizing minors.
12''-14''
Part 01
The Edo Period: Wakashu
In Japan, the Edo period took place from 1603 to 1867 and is considered their renaissance period, due to an influx of traditional art and music. It is during this period when shunga (pornographic works of art) were beginning to become more prevalent. Shunga typically depicted images of beautiful people, however, shunga like wakashu should not have fallen under this category. The term ‘wakashu’ refers to “a class of adolescent boys during this time (usually under the age of 18) that were considered to be objects of sexual desire for older men" (Sluzhevsky, 18). The most accurate age range for a wakashu was between 7 and 25 years old. Wakashu (the subcategory of shunga) are described as having been explicitly sexual images of these boys’ genitalia and engaging in sexual intercourse. Further, it was normal for older men called Otoko to have sex with wakashu.
A Brief History
The Third Gender
10''-12''
Part 02
Sexualizing children was not seen as pedophilic or predatory during this era. Sluzhevsky explains that “gender was seen more as a role played in society; wakashu were not given this title due to their biological sex, nor their own identification” (19). Thus, wakashu were considered to be an entirely different gender than adult men, erasing the possibility of homosexuality but also encouraging child abuse.
A Brief History
What about women in the Edo Period?
14''-17''
Part 03
wakashu
women
During the Edo period, the social hierarchy was as follows: Otoko, wakashu, women. For Otoko’s, older women were rather undesirable in comparison to wakashu. Young concubines and prostitutes were had by men, but ultimately young boys were the target of sexual desire at this time.
Despite the introduction's content, this presentation is not centered around male victims in Japan–it is about the mistreatment and sexual exploitation of young women and minors. That being said, knowing about the wakashu in the Edo Period provides a bit of context and emphasizes that Japan, like most other countries in the world, has a dark history of pedophilic and misogynistic tendencies that have carried over into the modern world.
Pop Culture
Idol Culture
17''-20''
Part 01: What is an Idol?
Idols are defined as “starlets who are brought up from amateur status, with little to no prior experience in the entertainment industry” (Sluzhevsky, 29). One of the main attractive features of these idols is their youth, a truth that is evident by the fact that most idols begin as young as eight years old and lose their popularity after they become eighteen. Usually, when we think of idols we think of K-Pop stars who have become famous worldwide among many people. In Japan, idol fanbases are mainly adult men who follow these young girls from the beginning of their careers until they move on to someone younger and newer.
Pop Culture
Idol Culture
22''-24''
Part 02: What is an Idol's Job?
An idol can be a singer, dancer, model, and/or a starlet figure, but another one of their main purposes is to satisfy men. Being a part of a community such as an idol fandom gives these men a sense of belonging and solidarity. Moreover, they “feel accepted by the idol girls whose sole job is to entertain them and ‘love’ them” (Sluzhevsky, 30). This fanatic obsession fulfills these men’s desires without needing to commit to having an actual relationship, which seems to be a common theme among all of these industries. Additionally, idols are expected to interact with their fans at “handshake events.” A handshake event is essentially a meet-and-greet type event in which a fan gets to talk with an idol while the two hold hands. This seems innocuous enough like just a fan and an idol having a brief conversation, but for Japanese people, there is more to it than that. In the past, shaking hands was seen as a sexual gesture, only becoming acceptable in recent decades. Therefore, while the young girls are completely unaware of the sexual connotations of the handshakes, the fan is likely aware of it and receives some gratification from the event. Keeping in mind that idols can be as young as eight years old, the fact that their teams allow them to be exploited and sexualized is despicable.
Prostituion
The JK Business
17''-20''
Part 01: What is the JK Business?
The name, JK Business, comes from the phrase jyoshi kousei which translates into the "high school girl" business, a fitting name for a sex traffic business that targets young girls and forces them into prostitution (Sluzhevsky, 33 & Ogaki, 1). This business, while technically legal under Japanese laws, runs by manipulating minors and coercing them into signing contracts that they will later now be allowed to break free from. For instance, people in this business will pose as modeling agents to get these young girls to agree to sign binding contracts. Ogaki states that under the JK businesses, there are "'JK rifure' (reflexology or massage), 'JK satsueikai' (photo session)...[and] 'JK o-sanpo' in which a male customer takes a walk with a high school girl" (3).
Brief Interruption
The School Girl Uniform
12''-14''
Another key aspect of the JK Business is the allure of a high school girl. As previously mentioned, these girls are high school-aged, but many of them are told to wear their actual school uniforms while on these dates. Schoolgirl uniforms are about as popular in America as they are in Japan. It is a common Halloween costume and is even featured in some of the most popular pornography sites. There is this perverse fetishization of young girls in their school uniforms that a lot of people indulge in and that includes people in Japan. The schoolgirl uniform is quite sexualized in Japanese media as well. Anime is known for depicting high school girls with abnormally large chests and short skirts which feeds into this desire for a school girl.
Prostitution
The JK Business
22''-24''
Part 02
Like all forms of prostitution, men (generally older) pay to take the girls out on what the companies claim to be “innocent” dates that only include actions such as “holding hands, taking walks, or conversing” (Sluzhevsky, 34). Unfortunately, these encounters are not always as innocent as people might want to believe. The customers can choose to pay for the "secret options" in exchange for sexual interactions (Ogaki, 3). The Japanese government has publicly declared that it will attempt to end the JK Business, yet these services are only increasing as years go by, giving pedophiles easy access to children and leaving these young girls with no protection.
Prostitution
The JK Business
12''-14''
Part 03: Why do these girls agree?
According to Ogaki, there are three main reasons why girls consent to being in the JK Business. Outside of being coerced or deceived, these are the reasons that may push young girls into these industries:
- Unsupportive Families - Not having the proper support system from their families may cause girls to run away from home, which creates a need for money, or search for support elsewhere. In cases like these, girls may also be influenced by their peers to get involved in the JK Business.
- Mental Health Issues - Some girls who may suffer from depression have expressed that they had no regard for their safety or autonomy, therefore allowing men to regulate their bodies.
- Gender Inequality - In Japan, problems such as the gender wage gap and sexual harassment in the workplace make it difficult for women to pursue careers. Thus, girls will often subdue themselves to survive. Appearing weak or helpless, or young, allows women to get further, and the JK Business cultivates that atmosphere.
Pornography
Pornography Laws
14''-17''
Part 01: The Law
“Despite Japanese censorship laws around pornography, the government only formally passed legislation claiming the illegality of child pornography in 2014. This relatively recent law states that those in possession of explicit photographs or videos of children can be imprisoned for 1 year and fined up to 1 million yen ($10,000). Time journalist Melissa Hellman states that this legislation was a result of international pressure to tighten possession laws, and “despite banning the production and distribution of child pornography in 1999, Japan is the last OECD nation to make possession a punishable offense” (Sluzhevsky, 25).
Pornography
Chaku Ero
10''-12''
Part 02
In English, the phrase chaku ero translates into “erotically clothed.” Chaku ero is a form of pornography that features pornstars of all ages and is considered to be soft-core porn because it does not include fully nude people in it. Regardless, chaku ero is undoubtedly erotic and provides sexual imagery of minors. Disturbingly, a producer of this type of pornography admitted that they make the most money when they produce films of children compared to those of older girls. It is simple to see just how disgusting chaku ero can be, but since it does no expose childrens’ naked bodies, it is not illegal.
Pornography
Lolicon
17''-20''
Part 03
According to Galbraith, lolicon is defined as “manga, anime, and games that feature ‘underage’ characters in sexual and sometimes violent situations.” It is a popular and legal genre of erotic art that is promoted throughout Japan. The characters in lolicon are undisputably children–they are meant to replicate the young girls that once appeared in adult magazines back in the 80s with prepubescent bodies that lack breasts and body hair. A subcategory of lolicon comes in the form of hentai, or animated pornography. Typically, hentai stars young girls and children in it. Some even openly mention that the characters are elementary school or middle school students and others show them in their school uniforms (Sluzhevsky, 28).
Pornography
Lolicon
22''-24''
Part 04: The Issue with Virtual Pornography
It has created what critics like Naito Chizuko call a “loliconized society” (Galbraith, 84). The consistent sexualization of young girls in media is increasing the public’s fascination with infantilization. This fascination is directly connected to the “Lolita effect” which by definition is a “distorted and delusional set of myths about girls’ sexuality.” The term “Lolita effect” comes from the novel “Lolita” by Vladimir Nabokov which has inspired many phrases used such as “lolicon” and the “Lolita complex”. While incredibly popular, lolicon is still seen as quite a controversial art due to its graphic and sexual depiction of minors. The counterargument is always that there is no harm being done to real children and it is okay to gain sexual gratification from drawings. Regardless of an individual’s stance, it is still remarkably clear that artists are creating this content to satisfy a population that has the capability of finding children sexually attractive.
Pornography
Lolicon
10''-12''
Part 05
The lolicon boom has influenced debates in Japan, calling to question the divide between fiction and reality. Because real-life children are not being harmed by the production of lolicon, many people believe that there is nothing immoral about it. Afterall, there is a distinction between the media a person consumes and their real desires, but it is still worth commenting that pornography often reflects a fictional scenario whether consensual or not, to which many viewers become accustomed to. Preferring these types of media can have detrimental effects on a person’s real-life interests, so it is important to be wary.
Conclusion
Rebranding Benefits
12''-14''
Part 01
All of the previously discussed pedophilic industries in Japan have immense benefits for the country. Following the Second World War, Japan needed a complete rebranding to erase its horrific actions from the minds of those outside. What they came up with is the soft and cute culture that most people now associate with Japanese culture. Unfortunately, a lot of this cuteness comes from the exploitation of young girls. Sluzhevsky states that “the shojo (young girl) figure represented the pleasures of capitalist consumerism, and appeared in magazines, radio, and television to promote products” (43). Now, thanks to advanced technology, Japan’s culture has become popular around the globe and it is still using images of young girls as a measure of depicting their cute and innocent branding.
Conclusion
Japan's Culture
10''-12''
Part 02
For centuries, Japan has benefited from the exploitation and sexualization of minors. It has been going on for generations, however, nothing has been done to properly end it. At this point, it seems unlikely that the Japanese government will fully act in favor of these children because they profit off of the commercialization of these industries. The JK Businesses will continue to find vulnerable girls to prostitute, child idols will continue to be lusted after by old men, and lolicon will continue to be mass-produced in the name of free expression and art. The purpose of this presentation is not to judge Japanese culture but to emphasize that behind their kawaii appearance, there are dark consequences that affect real people. This is true of just about every culture around the world, but Japan's media has become widespread throughout America, therefore they were the country of interest.
Japan's Pedophilic Industries
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Transcript
Japan's Pedophilic Industries
An insight into the reality of the most seemingly cute and innocent culture.
A Brief History
Some context into Japan's past with sexualizing minors.
12''-14''
Part 01
The Edo Period: Wakashu
In Japan, the Edo period took place from 1603 to 1867 and is considered their renaissance period, due to an influx of traditional art and music. It is during this period when shunga (pornographic works of art) were beginning to become more prevalent. Shunga typically depicted images of beautiful people, however, shunga like wakashu should not have fallen under this category. The term ‘wakashu’ refers to “a class of adolescent boys during this time (usually under the age of 18) that were considered to be objects of sexual desire for older men" (Sluzhevsky, 18). The most accurate age range for a wakashu was between 7 and 25 years old. Wakashu (the subcategory of shunga) are described as having been explicitly sexual images of these boys’ genitalia and engaging in sexual intercourse. Further, it was normal for older men called Otoko to have sex with wakashu.
A Brief History
The Third Gender
10''-12''
Part 02
Sexualizing children was not seen as pedophilic or predatory during this era. Sluzhevsky explains that “gender was seen more as a role played in society; wakashu were not given this title due to their biological sex, nor their own identification” (19). Thus, wakashu were considered to be an entirely different gender than adult men, erasing the possibility of homosexuality but also encouraging child abuse.
A Brief History
What about women in the Edo Period?
14''-17''
Part 03
wakashu
women
During the Edo period, the social hierarchy was as follows: Otoko, wakashu, women. For Otoko’s, older women were rather undesirable in comparison to wakashu. Young concubines and prostitutes were had by men, but ultimately young boys were the target of sexual desire at this time.
Despite the introduction's content, this presentation is not centered around male victims in Japan–it is about the mistreatment and sexual exploitation of young women and minors. That being said, knowing about the wakashu in the Edo Period provides a bit of context and emphasizes that Japan, like most other countries in the world, has a dark history of pedophilic and misogynistic tendencies that have carried over into the modern world.
Pop Culture
Idol Culture
17''-20''
Part 01: What is an Idol?
Idols are defined as “starlets who are brought up from amateur status, with little to no prior experience in the entertainment industry” (Sluzhevsky, 29). One of the main attractive features of these idols is their youth, a truth that is evident by the fact that most idols begin as young as eight years old and lose their popularity after they become eighteen. Usually, when we think of idols we think of K-Pop stars who have become famous worldwide among many people. In Japan, idol fanbases are mainly adult men who follow these young girls from the beginning of their careers until they move on to someone younger and newer.
Pop Culture
Idol Culture
22''-24''
Part 02: What is an Idol's Job?
An idol can be a singer, dancer, model, and/or a starlet figure, but another one of their main purposes is to satisfy men. Being a part of a community such as an idol fandom gives these men a sense of belonging and solidarity. Moreover, they “feel accepted by the idol girls whose sole job is to entertain them and ‘love’ them” (Sluzhevsky, 30). This fanatic obsession fulfills these men’s desires without needing to commit to having an actual relationship, which seems to be a common theme among all of these industries. Additionally, idols are expected to interact with their fans at “handshake events.” A handshake event is essentially a meet-and-greet type event in which a fan gets to talk with an idol while the two hold hands. This seems innocuous enough like just a fan and an idol having a brief conversation, but for Japanese people, there is more to it than that. In the past, shaking hands was seen as a sexual gesture, only becoming acceptable in recent decades. Therefore, while the young girls are completely unaware of the sexual connotations of the handshakes, the fan is likely aware of it and receives some gratification from the event. Keeping in mind that idols can be as young as eight years old, the fact that their teams allow them to be exploited and sexualized is despicable.
Prostituion
The JK Business
17''-20''
Part 01: What is the JK Business?
The name, JK Business, comes from the phrase jyoshi kousei which translates into the "high school girl" business, a fitting name for a sex traffic business that targets young girls and forces them into prostitution (Sluzhevsky, 33 & Ogaki, 1). This business, while technically legal under Japanese laws, runs by manipulating minors and coercing them into signing contracts that they will later now be allowed to break free from. For instance, people in this business will pose as modeling agents to get these young girls to agree to sign binding contracts. Ogaki states that under the JK businesses, there are "'JK rifure' (reflexology or massage), 'JK satsueikai' (photo session)...[and] 'JK o-sanpo' in which a male customer takes a walk with a high school girl" (3).
Brief Interruption
The School Girl Uniform
12''-14''
Another key aspect of the JK Business is the allure of a high school girl. As previously mentioned, these girls are high school-aged, but many of them are told to wear their actual school uniforms while on these dates. Schoolgirl uniforms are about as popular in America as they are in Japan. It is a common Halloween costume and is even featured in some of the most popular pornography sites. There is this perverse fetishization of young girls in their school uniforms that a lot of people indulge in and that includes people in Japan. The schoolgirl uniform is quite sexualized in Japanese media as well. Anime is known for depicting high school girls with abnormally large chests and short skirts which feeds into this desire for a school girl.
Prostitution
The JK Business
22''-24''
Part 02
Like all forms of prostitution, men (generally older) pay to take the girls out on what the companies claim to be “innocent” dates that only include actions such as “holding hands, taking walks, or conversing” (Sluzhevsky, 34). Unfortunately, these encounters are not always as innocent as people might want to believe. The customers can choose to pay for the "secret options" in exchange for sexual interactions (Ogaki, 3). The Japanese government has publicly declared that it will attempt to end the JK Business, yet these services are only increasing as years go by, giving pedophiles easy access to children and leaving these young girls with no protection.
Prostitution
The JK Business
12''-14''
Part 03: Why do these girls agree?
According to Ogaki, there are three main reasons why girls consent to being in the JK Business. Outside of being coerced or deceived, these are the reasons that may push young girls into these industries:
Pornography
Pornography Laws
14''-17''
Part 01: The Law
“Despite Japanese censorship laws around pornography, the government only formally passed legislation claiming the illegality of child pornography in 2014. This relatively recent law states that those in possession of explicit photographs or videos of children can be imprisoned for 1 year and fined up to 1 million yen ($10,000). Time journalist Melissa Hellman states that this legislation was a result of international pressure to tighten possession laws, and “despite banning the production and distribution of child pornography in 1999, Japan is the last OECD nation to make possession a punishable offense” (Sluzhevsky, 25).
Pornography
Chaku Ero
10''-12''
Part 02
In English, the phrase chaku ero translates into “erotically clothed.” Chaku ero is a form of pornography that features pornstars of all ages and is considered to be soft-core porn because it does not include fully nude people in it. Regardless, chaku ero is undoubtedly erotic and provides sexual imagery of minors. Disturbingly, a producer of this type of pornography admitted that they make the most money when they produce films of children compared to those of older girls. It is simple to see just how disgusting chaku ero can be, but since it does no expose childrens’ naked bodies, it is not illegal.
Pornography
Lolicon
17''-20''
Part 03
According to Galbraith, lolicon is defined as “manga, anime, and games that feature ‘underage’ characters in sexual and sometimes violent situations.” It is a popular and legal genre of erotic art that is promoted throughout Japan. The characters in lolicon are undisputably children–they are meant to replicate the young girls that once appeared in adult magazines back in the 80s with prepubescent bodies that lack breasts and body hair. A subcategory of lolicon comes in the form of hentai, or animated pornography. Typically, hentai stars young girls and children in it. Some even openly mention that the characters are elementary school or middle school students and others show them in their school uniforms (Sluzhevsky, 28).
Pornography
Lolicon
22''-24''
Part 04: The Issue with Virtual Pornography
It has created what critics like Naito Chizuko call a “loliconized society” (Galbraith, 84). The consistent sexualization of young girls in media is increasing the public’s fascination with infantilization. This fascination is directly connected to the “Lolita effect” which by definition is a “distorted and delusional set of myths about girls’ sexuality.” The term “Lolita effect” comes from the novel “Lolita” by Vladimir Nabokov which has inspired many phrases used such as “lolicon” and the “Lolita complex”. While incredibly popular, lolicon is still seen as quite a controversial art due to its graphic and sexual depiction of minors. The counterargument is always that there is no harm being done to real children and it is okay to gain sexual gratification from drawings. Regardless of an individual’s stance, it is still remarkably clear that artists are creating this content to satisfy a population that has the capability of finding children sexually attractive.
Pornography
Lolicon
10''-12''
Part 05
The lolicon boom has influenced debates in Japan, calling to question the divide between fiction and reality. Because real-life children are not being harmed by the production of lolicon, many people believe that there is nothing immoral about it. Afterall, there is a distinction between the media a person consumes and their real desires, but it is still worth commenting that pornography often reflects a fictional scenario whether consensual or not, to which many viewers become accustomed to. Preferring these types of media can have detrimental effects on a person’s real-life interests, so it is important to be wary.
Conclusion
Rebranding Benefits
12''-14''
Part 01
All of the previously discussed pedophilic industries in Japan have immense benefits for the country. Following the Second World War, Japan needed a complete rebranding to erase its horrific actions from the minds of those outside. What they came up with is the soft and cute culture that most people now associate with Japanese culture. Unfortunately, a lot of this cuteness comes from the exploitation of young girls. Sluzhevsky states that “the shojo (young girl) figure represented the pleasures of capitalist consumerism, and appeared in magazines, radio, and television to promote products” (43). Now, thanks to advanced technology, Japan’s culture has become popular around the globe and it is still using images of young girls as a measure of depicting their cute and innocent branding.
Conclusion
Japan's Culture
10''-12''
Part 02
For centuries, Japan has benefited from the exploitation and sexualization of minors. It has been going on for generations, however, nothing has been done to properly end it. At this point, it seems unlikely that the Japanese government will fully act in favor of these children because they profit off of the commercialization of these industries. The JK Businesses will continue to find vulnerable girls to prostitute, child idols will continue to be lusted after by old men, and lolicon will continue to be mass-produced in the name of free expression and art. The purpose of this presentation is not to judge Japanese culture but to emphasize that behind their kawaii appearance, there are dark consequences that affect real people. This is true of just about every culture around the world, but Japan's media has become widespread throughout America, therefore they were the country of interest.