A controversial bill impacting adult content production in Japan passed the Japanese Lower House on May 27, 2022, moving closer to becoming law. This legislation, which has generated significant dispute within the Japanese adult video (AV) community, was advanced without consultation from sex workers or members of the local adult industry.

Legislative Progress and Industry Concerns

The bill, formally titled "The Act on Special Provisions Regarding Contracts for Performers in Adult Video Productions" and often referred to as the "AV New Law," was enacted in June 2022. It was designed to prevent exploitation and provide stronger protections for performers, with stated intentions to prevent coercion, allow performers time to reconsider contracts, and provide legal pathways for withdrawal. However, its practical implementation has led to complications within the industry.

The legislation was pushed by Japan's ruling coalition, which includes the conservative Liberal Democratic Party and the religious-conservative Komeito party, alongside four opposition parties. Proponents of the bill claim it will "protect people from appearing in pornographic videos against their will." News surrounding the bill was described as being sensationalized by local press amidst a moral panic campaign, which intensified in April 2022 when legislators discussed adult performers during a debate about lowering the legal age of adulthood from 20 to 18, particularly concerning legally binding contracts.

The new law introduced several requirements for adult production. Producers are now mandated to explain to adult performers when signing contracts "that they will appear in a pornographic film and that the actors may be identified." Additionally, the bill allows all performers, regardless of age or gender, to "cancel their contracts unconditionally within one year of the release of videos in which they appear, and within two years for the two years following the enactment of the law." The legislation also requires an interval of at least one month between the signing of the contract and filming, and four months between filming and the release of the content.

Impact on Production and Performers

One of the most controversial changes introduced by the AV New Law is the mandatory waiting period between filming and release. Prior to the law, the typical AV production cycle was approximately three months. After the law's enactment, the minimum timeline became five months, realistically extending to six months or more with distribution. This extended waiting period has created significant disruption for studios, forcing them to carry higher financial risks, delay revenue, and avoid working with new performers due to legal uncertainty.

Industry voices argue that these changes have had unintended consequences, including a decrease in new actresses entering the industry and existing performers losing income. The law, intended to protect performers, is now seen by many within the industry as pushing it toward collapse. A growing coalition of performers, directors, legal experts, and politicians is calling for urgent reform of the AV New Law.

Japanese adult videos are known as "adult videos" (AV) in Japan, with "Japanese adult videos" (JAV) referring to the industry. In addition to live-action videos and magazines, the industry also includes pornographic manga and anime (referred to as "hentai" in English, but "adult anime" or "erotic animation" in Japan), and pornographic computer games (eroge).

Key Facts

  • The "Act on Special Provisions Regarding Contracts for Performers in Adult Video Productions" passed the Japanese Lower House on May 27, 2022, and was enacted in June 2022.
  • The bill was advanced without consultation from sex workers or members of the local adult industry.
  • New requirements include explaining performer identification in contracts, allowing unconditional contract cancellation within one year of video release (or two years for two years following enactment), and mandating intervals of at least one month between contract signing and filming, and four months between filming and release.
  • The mandatory waiting period between filming and release has extended the production cycle from approximately three months to a minimum of five to six months.
  • Industry voices report fewer new actresses entering the industry and existing performers experiencing reduced work opportunities.
  • A coalition of performers, directors, legal experts, and politicians is advocating for reform of the AV New Law.