Japan’s multi-billion-dollar pornographic industry has issued a formal apology and promised change in response to allegations that women have been forced to perform sex acts on film against their will.
The move comes after the arrest this month of three talent scouts accused of coercing a woman to perform in more than 100 pornographic films over several years. While the high-profile case sparked the industry’s response, campaigners say the practice is more widespread.
The Intellectual Property Promotion Association (IPPA), which represents Japan’s adult film industry, said in a statement Wednesday it will “encourage producers to take action to quickly improve the situation and restore the soundness of the entire industry”. “The association deeply regrets that we had failed to take initiative (to deal with problem before). We are very sorry.”
This month, police arrested the three men, including a 49-year-old executive at Tokyo-based agency Marks Japan, on suspicion of violating the country’s labor laws.
The talent agency pressed the victim to perform in adult videos by allegedly warning her that she had to pay penalties for breach of contract if she refused, local media have reported. (AFP)