Singer Ricca Kanon denounces casting couch practices of producers

The singer, model, and TV personality Ricca Kanon shared intimate details on social media on August 31 about the issue of the casting couch in the Japanese entertainment industry.

The frequency of producers trying to pressure her to sleep with them has become so high that she announced that will no longer meet such people in person.

“I often receive requests for appearances (or messages posing as such) from TV program and commercial producers and creators. Please note that all future meetings regarding television projects will be conducted online.”

She claims that “almost every time” she has gone for meetings, the conversation has veered into uncomfortable territory whereby the producer hints that she should provide sexual favors in exchange for work.

“This has happened dozens of times.”

She explained that the tactics used to make these demands are quite devious. “Lately, the emails and exchanges are clever and written in such detail that it’s easy to be deceived. And whenever I try to arrange for someone else to be present at the meeting, they skillfully dodge the request.”

The Osaka native, whose age is not known, described how a typical conversation would unfold.

“It starts out as a legitimate meeting about a TV project, but gradually the producer shifts to compliments about my physique and figure. Then the conversation steers toward things like, ‘If you can put out for me tonight, I’ll cast you in the role of so-and-so for a drama airing next year,’ ‘Since I’m the president, I can put you in the lead spot on my show,’ or ‘I promise you ongoing TV work until you make it big and move on from my agency!'”

Perhaps typical of people from her hometown, Kanon is a toughie who takes no prisoners.

“I want you to remember this: the ultimate, beautiful physique I’ve built up through years of constant effort, shedding sweat and tears by the gallon, wasn’t created just so I could be bedded by vulgar lowlifes like you.”

Kanon, who is also known just as Ricca, has been performing music since September 2011. She has done singing for commercials and video game songs, and appeared in commercials as a model. She currently works freelance after having switched agencies twice.

She thinks freelancers like her are particularly vulnerable to offers of work for sexual favors from unscrupulous producers. “They target young women working as freelancers. Since independent artists have to secure their own jobs, it’s easy to dangle a carrot in front of them.”

She appealed to other women: “Please, never agree to such vulgar propositions. Cherish your heart and body. There are both good and bad people in Tokyo, and I urge all freelance performers to be careful.”

Kanon’s post went viral, attracting a huge response online and coverage in the mainstream media. Many expressed shock that such practices are still common in 2020s Japan.

While MeToo in Japan did not experience the same traction it had elsewhere, there is increasing awareness of sexual coercion in the entertainment industry, including among gravure idols, music idols, and voice actors. High-profile comedians have been hit by harassment claims. Approximately 40% of women working in broadcasting in Japan said that they have received sexual advances, according to one recent survey.

Similarly, coercion in porn has led to arrests and an industry apology, and even an extensive legal change.