While public broadcaster NHK is regarded as a conservative channel, Shukan Asahi Geino (Sep. 9) reports that it has been broadcasting some sexually-charged programming of late.
The August 22 airing of “Tokyo Kawaii TV,” a program dedicated to female fashion, focused (quite literally) on the female chest area. The program was designed to empower women, informing them on various methods for presenting their chests when they wear bikinis. The program kicked off with interviews of girls at Shonan Beach. It probably goes without saying that the camera was primarily positioned below the neck area.
Back at the studio, host Ikki Sawamura, an actor, asked his counterpart, female recording artist BENI, about the theme of the program. BENI responded, “cleavage.” Sawamura then quickly fixed his stare at BENI’s.
Two girls who have bikini complexes on camera arrived next. One was an attractive graduate student from the University of Tokyo. The other was a girl who possesses nice physical assets and wishes to become a gravure idol. Sawako Nakata, a stylist who specializes in developing attractive breast lines, and Yuko Takasaki, who is known for homemade bikinis, served as cleavage consultants.
Nakata redesigned the concept of a simple bikini. She showed that by sewing bikini cups in a certain way, she can force all the volume toward the center. She also added silicon and lemon-shaped pads to the suit. The college student was excited and indicated that she was eager to share the new design with her boyfriend.
Takasaki added a ring to the bikini strings to allow breasts, whose shape typically goes outward, to face toward the center. The potential gravure model showed how she built up her cleavage by pulling some flesh from under her armpit areas to the front part of her body and against her breasts. The final step involves tightening her breasts down so that the extra flesh doesn’t become too loose. When watching this process live, Sawamura was at a loss for words.
Similarly smutty, says Asagei, was NHK’s “Asa Ichi” program that aired on June 23. It covered the issue of sex (actually the lack thereof) among couples beyond their 40s. The tabloid reports that the host used the word “sex” 30 times during the show, which recorded an 11% viewer rating.
Columnist Yoichi Matsuo finds this new direction to be a positive.”NHK has in the past regarded eroticism as something of a taboo,” he says. “The irony inherent with how NHK has evolved should be acknowledged. It is likely that older generations will not welcome this but, but young people will approve.”
Not just the young, snaps Shukan Asahi Geino, middle-aged men will welcome this softened approach as well. (K.N.)
Source: “NHK ga shiroto no oppai miseta! Gamen ippai ni kyonyu ga yurete…” Shukan Asahi Geino (Sep. 9, pages 42)