In the world of adult video (AV), films featuring amateur actresses have always proved to be popular. Yet, reports Weekly Playboy (Aug. 6), titles in the genre known as “nampa AV,” in which amateur girls are picked up in public and subsequently coerced into erotic activities, are on the verge of extinction.
An employee at a popular DVD rental shop explains that films in the venerable “4-Hour Compilation” series are still routinely sold. “But now,” the employee says, “new arrivals each month have fallen off. It seems production of such titles has dwindled.”
A public relations representative from AV producer Hot Entertainment says that the company releases about four new titles each month. “The number of companies specializing in this genre numbers only three. So production throughout the industry is way down.”
Magazine editor Masahiko Matsuzawa says that the reason for the drop off in nampa productions lies in an amendment to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government’s public nuisance ordinance in 2008. “Guys are prohibited from scouting and picking up girls on the streets,” the editor says. “In short, AV production companies cannot have staff members out in public and calling out to girls. Enforcement in the Shibuya and Shinjuku areas is very strict, and the number of AV production companies giving up is huge.”
Director and actor Hiroshi Shimabukuro, who has 20 years of experience in the industry, agrees with this assessment. “Shibuya is very difficult,” says Shimabukuro. “A third party might see a girl enter a car and file a report. I’ve been there on days when 10 patrol cars were out in the streets.”
The veteran assures that it is necessary that the girls be tended to carefully inside vehicles by the production staff members to remove any suspicions they may have about the circumstances.
Strengthened nuisance laws, however, are not the only reason for the decline. AV production companies are also becoming increasingly hesitant due to threats of litigation. “Guys will call out to girls in the street by saying they resemble such-and-such actress,” says Shimabukuro. “Because there is concern that the agency of the actress will file a claim, such activities are now out.”
Similar worries exist for any background music playing in the street. “Since the Japan Association of Music Enterprises could cause trouble, locations where no music is playing are targeted. But trucks, cars, and stores throughout town blaring advertising jingles are unavoidable so this becomes a very sensitive issue.”
Source: “‘Nanpa AV’ ga shometsu no kiki ni hinshiteiru,” Weekly Playboy (August 6, page 66)