Japan's porn stars make their way in the real world

[AsahinaKimi]

AV idol Rin Sakuragi

Many tourists are often shocked at the mainstream acceptance of Japan's porn industry. Yet despite this somewhat unique cultural attitude, for many former stars, integrating 'into society' is not an easy task
By Ulara Nakagawa, Robert Michael Poole

Japan's pornographic industry, known locally as AV (adult video), is widely known to be somewhat different to the West, not least due to its mainstream acceptance in daily Japanese culture. AV stars can enjoy a high-level of celebrity not only in Japan, but across Asia, with women like Maria Ozawa, Ai Iijima and Sola Aoi variously promoting games, anime and starring in reputable films, TV dramas and theater. The industry is thought to churn out more than 3,000 features a year -- compared to around 400 regular Japanese films -- and have a value of ¥100 billion ($1.2billion).

When Ai Iijima passed away aged 36 in December 2008, found lying in her apartment, rumors abounded of a drug overdose or succumbing to a sexually transmitted disease, such was the notoriety of the 1980s and 1990s industry. The police pathology report eventually revealed the cause as pneumonia.

In 2010 the world of AV is presenting itself as cleaner, safer and more mafia-free compared to Iijima's heyday thanks to a breed of new 'clean' companies taking it mainstream, so CNNGo spoke to recently retired AV star Saori Tsuchiya, current superstar Sola Aoi, and an agency chief manager to find out what today's generation of adult video actresses do once they decide to call it quits and what kind of support is on offer for them.

more..http://travel.cnn.com/tokyo/life/japans-adult-video-stars-make-their-way-real-world-932681

[dfsfadsfds]

1. WOW

WOW

[Art_from_Ark]

2. I think "Sola Aoi"'s name should actually be written as "Aoi Sora"

That is, "Blue Sky"

[davidpdx]

3. The Koreans are in deep denial about porn

I think they see it as shameful and dirty. Yet, if you go to a love motel and turn on the tv you have porn channels. Granted they are what we used to call Skinemax (Cinemax softporn). Apparently there are "porn censors" that work around the clock to find and send in tips to block any websites that might be available. It sounds a bit fishy to me.