The Ministry
of Culture has announced that from next month, adult movies will be open to a formalized
system of product placement. Companies will be able to pay fees to have their
products featured prominently in adult movies, the aim being to increase
profitability and secure the industry`s future in the face of strong
competition from internet erotica.
Reaction
within the industry has been overwhelmingly positive. “We`re very happy about
this move,” said Masato Beitsu, an executive at Tokyo-based Yummy Movies. “If
any ministers would like a discount on orders or an honorary seat on the board
after they retire, I`ll be happy to oblige.”
However,
some members of the public have expressed concern. “I`m worried about the
possible impact on minors,” said Yoshiki Watanabe, a corporate employee in
Marunouchi. “If there`s a child next to me while I`m watching porn on the
train, it`ll be like exposing them to non-stop subliminal advertising. Kids
need protecting from this over-commercialisation of everyday culture.”
A number of
adult movie studios have already received proposals to have products placed in
their movies. Interested companies are said to include Avex, Pizza Express, and
every manga publisher in Japan.
