Last month, we wrote about the controversy that threatened to wreck one of the conventions of the Japanese summer: swimwear gravure photo events where fans go to see and take pictures of models and idols. These are often held in public lidos (outdoor pools), and are popular events that attract large numbers of fans. After local Japanese Communist Party politicians complained about the commercial use of prefectural parks and the "lewd" nature of the poses, though, authorities stepped in to ask organizers to call off some events in June. This was then criticized as censorship and ...

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Morning Musume idol Maria Makino is promoting her ninth (!) photo book, the aptly named Dear Maria, which came out in Japan earlier this month. That's quite a career and she's still only 22! The summer-themed photo book, which was shot in Guam, includes pics of the young Aichi native in a figure-hugging, skin-tone swimsuit that makes her look naked. Unfortunately, the actual photo book is too new for decent shots to exist online, it seems, but there are a few somewhat grainy behind-the-scenes shots of lovely Maria in her skimpy swimwear. Netizens are, it almost goes ...

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This story has been percolating since early June and has now become a very interesting incident generating national headlines, and with potential implications for future gravure events. Swimwear photo shoot events in public pools in Saitama have ignited an intense debate. During the events, idols and models gather at the pool for fans to take photographs of them in their swimsuits. Admission to such events is expensive, costing from ¥10,000 to ¥36,000. Various locals voiced concern to the public parks association in late May about the sexy nature of the gravure-style poses. Local ...

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Has the woke brigade, as some disparagingly call it, finally caught up with Japan? The gentrification of Kabukicho is still ongoing and a new commercial complex, imaginatively called Kabukicho Tower, recently opened in the Shinjuku nightlight and red-light district. Many noted that though it has conventionally gendered toilets on the upper floors, its second-floor restrooms are designated "all genders." The only segregation, according to the pictographs, is by whether you want to stand or sit down in the unisex stalls. The restroom has a shared washing station. Some have hailed this as a ...

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The New Year (Oshogatsu) period in Japan is characterized by the various household decorations people put up, the special food that is cooked for consumption on January 1, and the TV marathons that people indulge in, largely for lack of anything else to do. But there are rays of hope underneath the dregs: occasional shows that contain segments almost expressly designed to make the male members of the household sit up and take notice. Former AKB48 idol and model Haruna Kojima, who we featured in our recent roundup of New Year tiger cosplay, was part of the cast of a January 1 nighttime show, ...

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Following fellow Hinatazaka46 member Kyoko Saito's semi-nude photo book earlier in the year, now comes the news that Nao Kosaka is releasing her debut photo book. The swimwear-themed book, "Kimi wa dare?" (Who are you?), will delight fans of the gentle-faced 18-year-old. Kosakana's slender body is showcased in these bikini shots. Unfortunately, only one of the preview photos actually shows her in swimwear. The book comes out in Japan on June 29. We personally prefer our ladies with more experience and maturity, but we can see why Nao Kosaka has her fans: a pure-looking ...

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We are drawing to the end of this most difficult year and we taking a look back at 2020. Of course, the past twelve months were dominated by one global story. Japan's adult industry has responded to the coronavirus pandemic in various ways, from host and hostess clubs working with the authorities to identity clusters of infections, to Soft on Demand spending a fortune on advanced air sterilization technology for its new porn theme park in Kabukicho. Less positive responses -- of which, let's be honest, there were many -- include suing the government over financial relief discrimination and ...

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We are avoiding beaches and public pools right now, given the ongoing coronavirus infection rate, but that doesn't mean we aren't thinking about swimsuits. Far from it, they are one of the highlights of any summer in Japan. And to show just how far things have come, we wanted to share with you an image from 1966 (Showa 41), which we spotted shared on Twitter. It's an advertisement for "beach-ready" ladies in their colorful swimsuits. "Which is your pattern?" the main copy asks. All the women model different styles of swimwear, each aimed at a respective kind of personality (from the ...

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Two amazing pairs of buttocks. A Japanese sento bathhouse. Swimwear. That's all there is to it, but what a combination they make. Gravure idol Yumi Asahina is beloved by fans for her large ass and slinky figure -- and quite rightly so, as we have long argued on this blog. She recently posted a tweet sharing an stunning selfie where she posed with fellow gradol Negi Kujo -- whose name is a pun but whose hot body is no joke at all -- both with their backs to the camera, putting their large hips and buttocks firmly and proudly on display. The swimsuits and coquettish smiles only heighten the ...

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The ever-reliable folks at Tama Toys have come up with a blow-up doll with a difference. The Suntanned Beauty Air Doll, available globally from our friends at Kanojo Toys. This is the doll for you if you have a fetish for flat chests (hinnyu in Japanese -- trust us, it's hot), suntans, or swimsuits. It's a sweet "mini" doll -- so you'll love it if you like your ladies small and slender -- that you can combine with a swimming costume or underwear, plus an onahole pocket pussy for the final touch. This doll is tapping into something in the erotic imaginary. In Japanese porn, ...

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