Why Obscene DVD Sellers Remain in Kabukicho Despite Online Availability

Adult content is increasingly regulated each year due to new laws like the AV New Law. Despite these changes, it seems that Kabukicho is ignoring the trend, as unedited obscene DVDs are still being sold there.

According to the Sankei Shimbun on June 3, the Tokyo Metropolitan Police’s Security Division arrested 15 people, including 37-year-old Takahashi Jun, who is homeless and unemployed, on suspicion of distributing obscene electronic records in Kabukicho, Shinjuku Ward.

According to the Security Division, they raided three groups and five stores selling obscene DVDs, including Takahashi’s group, and seized approximately 110,000 DVDs. All of these businesses were operating from private apartments and attracting customers through street soliciting.

Despite frequent crackdowns that lead to the disappearance of such illegal DVD vendors, new shops keep appearing, creating an endless cycle of enforcement.

Given how easily adult content can be accessed online today, why do underground DVD sellers persist in Kabukicho? When asked for insight, an insider familiar with Kabukicho provided an unexpected answer.

“Basically, people who buy illegal DVDs are often men over 60. Many of them either can’t find these videos online or prefer physical copies instead of digital ones.

 

Additionally, in the past, uncensored pornography like illegal videos and books was very popular, so people may not be very aware of the criminal nature of these transactions.”

According to a behind-the-scenes writer, to buy illegal DVDs in Kabukicho, it’s quickest to ask the street recruiters from host or hostess clubs. The writer introduced me to a recruiter, and through him, I was able to learn about stores selling illegal DVDs and the details of these transactions. 

“To buy illegal DVDs, you need to talk to the street recruiters in Kabukicho before the adult entertainment and hostess clubs start their business. Most of these clubs close around 5 p.m., so it’s best to visit Kabukicho in the afternoon. You’ll see specialized recruiters and older men looking for illegal DVDs wandering the streets.

The price for illegal DVDs, including a 5,000 yen commission for the middleman, is around 15,000 yen. You usually get about 30 discs. After receiving the money, they ask what type of content you prefer, such as ‘office lady’ or ‘school uniform’ themes, and then hand over a collection that matches your preferences.”

When I insisted on being taken to the store, it turned out to be an ordinary apartment building. When guiding customers to make a purchase, an ID check is conducted in front of the room. If it’s confirmed that the person is not a police officer, they are then allowed inside.

Despite illegal DVDs being against the law, such as for obscenity distribution, and the risk of arrest, they have not disappeared. According to the street recruiter, the reason is that it’s cost-effective and requires almost no preparation, and he spoke about it without any remorse.

“Illegal DVD distribution can be started with just a reasonably good computer. Ignoring the legality, it’s quite easy to begin. You just need to download videos from illegal sites and burn them to DVDs. Also, once a video is downloaded, it can be reused. Aside from the labor involved in making the DVDs, it’s a very cost-effective illegal business.

Because of this, even if one distributor is shut down, another group quickly takes their place. For example, after a recent crackdown last month, a new distributor appeared within a few days of the news coverage.”

However, the number of men buying these DVDs has been decreasing year by year. As a result, most people involved in selling them are doing it as a side job while working in adult entertainment or hostess clubs.

 

In the past, during the Showa era, illegal videos, ‘underground videos,’ and ‘illegal materials’ were extremely popular and became a huge business. Over time, the number of such items gradually decreased. Even with the ‘Kabukicho Purification Campaign’ initiated by then-Tokyo Governor Shintaro Ishihara in 2004, it was never completely eradicated.

 

The cat-and-mouse game between vendors and authorities may continue for a long time.