Fan events are a bit more awkward than America where in America the girls act more like themselves since porn doesn't require any indepth acting while av idols require to be in a singing idol group nowadays to be successful.I feel like the way Japanese AV actresses promote and talk about their job is increadibly different than the ones from the US. In both countries the actresses are encouraged to lie/smile through their teeth and sell a false image but it seems worse in Japan. I wonder if it's because of being socialized differently in Japan.
For example, women are objectified and sexualized just about anywhere but it shows in different ways all across the globe.
Everyone in Japan knows chikan is a big problem and i've heard different stories from different Japanese women regarding the issue. What stood out to me is that some had a "it's bound to happen" or "what can you do about about? *shrug* mentality. Then you even had a couple women who think having women's only carriages are a female privilege. A PRIVILEGE! Some dudes seem to think so as well. Interesting mindset to have.
Japanese women are also way more feminine than their western counter part and it's rare to see women walk out of the door with a full face of makeup and Nice clothes. Women who don't conform are often looked down upon. There are different standards at work here.
Then you have school uniforms being heavily sexualized in pop culture and av, junior idols (with adult fans), low age of consent, idols in general, seeing all kinds of magazines with underage girls on display in conbinis.. Just imagine what this kind of thing must do to a girl growing up in such a society. These kind of things will become normal and you start to internalize it.
Not to mention that Japan is on the 104th place in the gender equality rankings, which should tell you enough about the way Japanese perceives women and how the women might perceive themselves.
Could this be the reason; why Japanese av actresses are less likely to speak out while they are in or even just out of the industry?
- why Japanese women are a lot more compliant and ok with being lurred/scouted into the AV industry?
- Why even the cuter and popular actresses do some crazy hardcore stuff, something which you don't see as much of in the west?
There is a reason why we in the west crack jokes about Japanese porn and why Japanese women are so highly sexualized.
I am a porn watcher myself so saying all these things could probably come across as hypocritical and ridicilous but I have studied a social science (Yes you can laugh at me haha) and I do realize that the reason why women want to appear in porn and or ok with being degraded like that for money is something that is socialized into them. I wouldn't want my own daughter to be a porn star and that should say enough. I am sure most wouldn't be happy with that.
Probably straying a bit here though it does seem to fit into the conversation we're having.