Interest
AKB48 Rumored to End Swimsuit Gravure Photos for Underage
posted on by Jennifer Sherman
Confusingly to some English speakers, manga magazines such as Weekly Young Jump often feature bikini-clad girls on their covers. Despite the word "young" in their titles, these magazines visibly target a postpubescent audience. Nevertheless, the covergirls posing in swimwear for risqué photos for these and other publications may themselves be underage. Rumors spreading through the idol industry in Japan say that may be about to change.
The Nikkan Cyzo website reported in December that a source in the publishing industry said Shogakukan's website promoting an AKB48 2018 calendar currently features an image (seen above right) of in bikini tops.
The source said that a change in the policies of AKB48's management means that only 18 years of age and older will appear in swimsuits in the future. The source added, "Even if there is a plan for all to wear swimsuits, high school and younger will wear swimsuits with very little skin exposure."
The rumored change may be the result of concerns related to child pornography. The source said that because AKB48 is also popular overseas, foreign media may recognize under 18 appearing in swimwear for suggestive gravure photos as child pornography. The source noted that concerns about the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo may also have impacted the reported decision.
The source said that the change is currently limited to AKB48. For example, Maria Makino, as well as third-year junior high school student and member of the Angerme and Country Girls groups Musubu Funaki have modeled for swimsuit gravure photos for manga magazines.
Asakawa Detective Conan's infamous "Shadow Person" in gravure photos last year.
[Via Yaraon!]
