The controversial adult video law, which requires productions to allow for one-month contract cooling-off periods and gives greater powers to performers to prevent releases even up to four months after completion of a shoot, was introduced in June 2022. These well-meaning measures are meant to curb coercion, which has been a rampant issue in porn, but many insiders say that the new law’s restrictive conditions are too harsh and risk killing off the JAV industry.
Some of the most vocal opponents of the law have been porn performers themselves. Several prominent AV stars launched a petition in autumn 2022. Now a new petition has been started by adult video performers, calling on the government to reform the AV law.
The law, known formally as the Adult Video Appearance Damage Prevention and Relief Act, is up for review in June this year. Industry workers launched the petition with the aim of collecting signatures in nine prefectures across Japan, and getting media exposure and public attention for their plight.
On Saturday, several directors and production company staff held a small rally on the streets of Akihabara, including top JAV stars Riko Hoshino, Kotoko Sakurawa, and Sawa Sasaki.
They say that the 2022 law has led to a decline in production and performer numbers, and has pushed some people into the unregulated “underground” industry that is probably even riskier for vulnerable people. If things continue, they warn, there will be no more AV in Japan!
Article 22 of the Constitution of Japan states that “every person shall have freedom to choose and change his residence and to choose his occupation to the extent that it does not interfere with the public welfare.” The pro-porn campaigners argue that the new law potentially violates their constitutional right to choose their occupation.
The campaigners collected about 200 signatures in Shibuya on February 9. They are set to continue gathering signatures until March 10 in business districts in Tokyo as well as Sendai, Osaka, Fukuoka, and other locations around Japan.
