TOKYO—Adult content providers in Japan are banking on 3D adult content to raise the bottom line and generate buzz surrounding the launch of 3D televisions.
S1 No.1Style, a Japanese adult studio, begins selling 3D X Mika Kayama today—the first Japanese adult movie shot specifically for 3D TVs, according to reports. The release of 3D X Yuma Asami on June 19 will coincide with the release of Sony Bravia’s 3D models.
“Adult videos will likely be an incentive for consumers to buy a 3D TV,” analyst Yuji Fujimori, at Barclays Capital in Tokyo, told Dispatch.com. “It’s worth paying attention to the move because it’s lack of content that's hindering expansion.”
According to economist Takashi Kadokura of Yokohoma-based BRICs Research Institute adult video sales in Japan were $1.2 billion in 2009, accounting for approximately 30 percent of overall video sales.
The first 3D TVs to go on sale in Japan came from Panasonic in April. Sharp and Mitsubishi have plans to manufacture 3D sets too.
S1 No.1Style spent three months making 3D X Mika Kayama, according to its producer, Sakon.
“It was a different filming experience using a new camera,” he told Dispatch.com. “Actors needed to move more slowly, furniture had to be relocated and lighting rearranged to make it work. But it was worth it. We'll make a profit out of this.”
Kadokura hopes that the launch of 3D TV hardware will stem the tide of declining profits of adult entertainment in Japan. According to him, sales are down 15 percent since 2006.
