Are they too young for "gravure"

[blackcat]

OK Im no prude and won't make judgements about this, just want others input here, do you think that these Photobooks DVDS of these young Japanese girls are in good taste or a worry in some way.

I think there would be an outcry in soome countries, but would it be justified?

any thoughts or opinions welcome.

Mao Kobayashi 13
Shihono Ryou 11
Azusa Hibino 13

these girls are maybe a bit older now but they stared at 11 and 12.
and many others have books DVDS etc. often starting at 9!

[blackcat]

I tried uploading the pics but regardless of image guidelines wont work, so google them or go here
http://lovelyidol.jp/index.html

[Taro Toporific]

I... go here
http://lovelyidol.jp/index.html

Many of those photos on top page of lovelyidol.jp are Photoshop cut-n-paste of children's heads onto older bodies.

[blackcat]

Many of those photos on top page of lovelyidol.jp are Photoshop cut-n-paste of children's heads onto older bodies.

you got proof? you mean all those books DVDS are photoshoped!!
no way.

[cstaylor]

A better question: why is Blackcat looking for photobooks of underage girls?

[blackcat]

A better question: why is Blackcat looking for photobooks of underage girls?

Ha thought this would come up soon, actually not a better question and I come across them doing a search for a students blog, (similar name) anyway what do you think CS?

[colorlessgreen]

I think its easy for us to judge it through western eyes and says its sick and exploitative. However, in Japan, there is totally different perceptions of sexuality and what is acceptable. Here they feel it is ok to apprecaite the pre-pubescent female form. I do think its exploitive, howver, no more or less than the child actors on sitcoms.

[Naniwan Kid]

"Here they feel it is ok to apprecaite the pre-pubescent female form. "

Hmmmm....I don't think that is true. Just because it's not illegal to have books and DVDs that show "idols" in bikinis doesn't mean there is mass-appeal or that it is accepted. I think most Japanese would find purchasers of these products pretty disgusting.

[joshuaism]

It's not just a Japanese thing. Apparently there's a market for these kinds of things in America too, at least on the internet.

http://msnbc.msn.com/id/3339966/

But getting this stuff off the internet from the privacy and secrecy of your own home is one thing, buying this shit out in public is another. I think it's amazing that there is a large enough market in Japan to deal in printed media of this stuff, a market of shameless pervs I guess. More amazing to me is that there are enough people out there interested in making this stuff available. I mean, what kind of parent allows their kid to pose for these books and dvd's knowing who it's marketed to?

[Hanakuso]

Carnies..

[blackcat]

More amazing to me is that there are enough people out there interested in making this stuff available. I mean, what kind of parent allows their kid to pose for these books and dvd's knowing who it's marketed to?

I gotta say I agree with that, what are the parents thinking? letting their 9 yo daughter pose Lingerie, bikinis and upskirt shots!! etc. I know there is a different idea between countries thinking but japan is riddled with Pedos, thats for sure surely parents have gotta know that?

[kurohinge1]

... I mean, what kind of parent allows their kid to pose for these books and dvd's knowing who it's marketed to?

Carnies..

[blackcat]

Carnies..

who are the carnies hana?

[Naniwan Kid]

I mean, what kind of parent allows their kid to pose for these books and dvd's knowing who it's marketed to?

That is the real question, I think. I wouldn't put my daughter up for display, clothed or unclothed, knowing what the purchasers of those DVDs do with them.

But, hey, IS there a legit market for these things? Do we know only pervs are buying them? If 10 year olds are buying them, is that so bad?

[Greji]

That is the real question, I think. I wouldn't put my daughter up for display, clothed or unclothed, knowing what the purchasers of those DVDs do with them.

Most occidental parents would not (although sometimes I'm not to sure)! But you have to remember that until recently, when the extremes of Enjo Kousai became known and they were forced to change the law, the age of consent in Japan was 12.

[joshuaism]

But, hey, IS there a legit market for these things? Do we know only pervs are buying them? If 10 year olds are buying them, is that so bad?

Good question. But I've only seen these books in porn shops or in the porno section in bookstores. If the market were other kids you would see these near the phone book sized manga anthologies, right?

But maybe I'm wrong. Maybe dear old dad is supposed to bring one of these home to Taro-kun to gently introduce him to the wonders of the female form before showing him the collection of hard-core videos he just bought.

[Naniwan Kid]

[Ketou]

Most occidental parents would not (although sometimes I'm not to sure)! But you have to remember that until recently, when the extremes of Enjo Kousai became known and they were forced to change the law, the age of consent in Japan was 12.

I think (correct me if I'm wrong) the federal age of consent still is 13. It's the prefectural laws that are 18.

[Mulboyne]

I thought the age of consent law in Japan was actually a series of statutes and the enjo kosai problem brought in a new statute which made paying for sex with a minor illegal. I would google for "Sex, minor, Japan" to check but I'd rather not appear on some international paedophile list.

[Greji]

I think (correct me if I'm wrong) the federal age of consent still is 13. It's the prefectural laws that are 18.

You could well be right on that. It's been a long time since I've delt with these laws, but I do know you're right on the prefectural laws being an exception. However, I am not sure that the ones that have these laws are uniform at 18. But like Mulboyne says, I'm not sure I want to go around the search engines checking!

[Naniwan Kid]

I thought Hyogo-ken was 16...

[joshuaism]

Japan Times - Tokyo Confidential
Sunday, Dec. 9, 2007

A slippery slope to kiddie porn
By GEOFF BOTTING
Cyzo (December)

With her long hair, erotic poses and skimpy outfits that leave little to the imagination, Aira Mihana is a bona-fide sex symbol. But Aira, who appears in a number of popular books, magazines and DVDs, is also 13 years old. She's known as a "U-15 idol," in other words, a sexy female model under the age of 15. And she's not alone. The U-15 market is made up of dozens of girls in their pre- and early teens who are seen in photos and videos dressed in lingerie and G-string bikinis, often in semi-erotic situations...

And the people who buy this stuff? Nearly all are adult men.

The authorities seem to have tolerated the industry, though just barely, over the last few years, as U-15 products have proliferated and their production standards have progressively been raised, Cyzo notices. Yet on Oct. 16, that tolerance appeared to snap. Police arrested four employees of Shinkosha, the U-15 industry's biggest publisher, on child prostitution and pornography charges...

Anyone think this is the end for the U-15 "industry"?

[Taro Toporific]

I think (correct me if I'm wrong) the federal age of consent still is 13. It's the prefectural laws that are 18.

Yep. You got it right. Almost all Japanese prefectures have moved the age of consent to over 17 ( I believe only Kagoshima and Kochi prefectures still have the age set around 13 to 15).
See my post:
Is the age of consent in Japan really 13?