8 Reasons Why Japanese Women Enter the JAV Industry

Many times we talk about JAVs here on the site, and the J-List Blog published a very interesting article listing 8 reasons why Japanese women enter the JAV industry, based on interviews and other sources.

So many Japanese women—many of them beautiful and charismatic—choose to work in a field that is not always well-regarded by society.

The reasons listed below come from real interviews and testimonials from actresses, who often reveal the motivation behind their decision to join the JAV industry once they have been in the business for a while or after retiring.

8 Reasons Why Japanese Women Enter the JAV Industry

1st Reason – Money

The most obvious reason is financial. Many actresses join the industry because they need quick money or see it as an opportunity to earn far more than they would in traditional jobs.

There are famous cases like JULIA, who worked in a medical office until a house fire left her with 1 million yen in debt. With no alternatives, she accepted a role and quickly realized how much she could earn by working regularly.

Top-tier actresses can earn between USD 15,000 and 20,000 per film, while mid-tier names make several thousand per shooting day. Even newcomers earn much more than they would in regular jobs.

Some JAV actresses have said in interviews that they made an absurd amount of money even in their very first film.

2nd Reason – They Want Fame

Another important factor is the desire to be noticed. Many young women grow up dreaming of becoming idols, models, or actresses, and they see JAV as an accessible way to achieve some level of fame.

The industry offers events, fan meetings, and opportunities to build a public image. At conventions and themed parties hosted by adult cosplay studios, actresses often interact with fans, promote their work, and enjoy the attention they receive.

This visibility can even open doors to careers outside JAV. Many former actresses have found success in literature, television, film, or modeling—for example Aoi Sora, Maria Ozawa, Yuma Asami, Sakura Mana, and Yua Mikami.

3rd Reason – They Admire Another Actress

Many women say they entered the industry because they admired well-known actresses. Seeing the success of popular names sometimes inspires young women to view this career as glamorous or empowering.

While it’s not always clear if these claims are fully true, this reason appears frequently in interviews and public statements—so it’s included here, though it may not always be honest.

4th Reason – It’s Better Than Working in a Soapland

Japan has many in-person adult entertainment sectors, such as soaplands and image clubs. These jobs involve direct physical contact and can be emotionally exhausting.

Compared to that, working in JAV—where filming happens occasionally and in a professional environment—may seem far more appealing. Many women see filmed scenes as a safer and less draining option.

Some actresses work only one or two days per month, earn a lot, and have a staff team supporting them during filming.

5th Reason – They Were Recruited by Scouts

Another common entry point is recruitment. Talent scouts roam major cities looking for women with visual potential or charisma for the camera.

They know what the market wants and pitch the career in a very attractive way, often offering bonuses or lucrative contracts. Some young women accept the offer out of curiosity or because of the unexpected opportunity.

6th Reason – They Moved From the Countryside to Tokyo and Ended Up in JAV

Many women leave small towns and move to Tokyo seeking independence and new experiences. Away from family and with greater anonymity, some feel free to try jobs they would never consider back home.

This sense of freedom often makes the decision to appear in a video easier—or even pursue a longer career without thinking about the long-term consequences.

Believe it or not, many girls think that “no one back home will ever see my films.” We even covered a case of a teacher who filmed a JAV, only for the school to discover it immediately.

7th Reason – Using Their Body as Personal Capital

According to books and sociological studies on the industry, many women see JAV as a pragmatic choice. They know they are attractive and decide to use that as a professional tool.

A girl with large breasts, a pretty face, and feminine charm knows that in a regular office job she might be hit on every day. So many think this way:

“If I’m going to be judged by my appearance anyway, I might as well make money from it.”

And just like that, they debut in JAV.

8th Reason – Pressure to Enter JAV

There is an ecosystem of jobs aimed at male audiences known as Vanilla-kei. These are well-paid, generally legitimate jobs that serve as gateways to increasingly sexualized roles.

“Vanilla-kei” is basically a funnel: a woman starts in a light job (like a gravure model), and people around her gradually push her to do more and more until she eventually reaches JAV.

In 2015, a major scandal exposed this system, with many girls coming forward claiming they had been coerced into filming based on vague contract clauses or threatened with massive “penalties” if they backed out.

Today this is less common due to new laws and stronger protections—but it used to be a huge problem.