Activists expose Japanese porn racket

By Lee Han-Soo

Lawyers and activists have exposed a racket that forces Japanese women into pornographic films after signing “modeling” contracts.

At a recent press conference, they said they had unearthed more than 130 cases that had happened over the past four years.

They said that after the women signed the contracts they were forced to perform in porn films, often without protection.

The victims were threatened with lawsuits if they tried to break their contracts.

“These women are forced to perform in such sexually abusive movies against their will,” Yukiko Tsunoda, one of the lawyers, said.

They said that at least one woman killed herself.

The Japanese porn industry is massive, making 20,000 films a year, with profit up to 5.29 trillion won ($4.4 billion).

Some porn actresses whose movies are easily available in stores and popular have become famous enough to appear on television.

The activists want the government to increase oversight of the industry.