O The Chunichi Shimbun published an article portraying the dark side of the Idolswhere more and more suffer from mental problems.
“Tsugisute (ツギステ)”, based in the Shibuya district of Tokyo, published the results of an online survey of 100 people about the working environment of women in the world of Japanese idols, with a focus on supporting former idols who are looking for employment after retiring. The study reveals deep-seated concerns, from mental health issues to the inability to report harassment.
The research, carried out between January and February this year, involved the participation of 102 people, 44 of whom were active idols and 58 with previous experience in the sector. Most of them were “underground” idols, whose main activity focuses on live performances, although participants who were part of famous groups were also included.
An alarming fact is that 52% of participants admitted to having developed mental disorders during their career as idols, a number notably higher than those 4.9% estimated for the general population according to research by the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, carried out in 2020. Furthermore, 48% reported having suffered harassment in the workplacewhile 12% reported having suffered sexual harassment.
The constant scrutiny of your appearance, both in the media and on the internet, has led to 78.4% of respondents on diets. Other problems mentioned include constant comparison with other people and menstrual problems, such as irregularities or absence of them.
One worrying aspect is that many of the participants did not feel comfortable seeking help for their problems, even when they retired from the industry. More of 80% worked in male-dominated environments, which, according to Tsugisute, further hinders women’s ability to seek help for problems such as menstrual problems. The end result is that, despite the glitz and glamor of the stage, many idols experience high levels of stress and anxiety, which suggests a serious and special situation in this industry.
The sociologist Mana Kamioka (上岡磨奈), an expert on idol culture at Keio University, stated that this problem is further exacerbated by the recent sexual abuse scandals that have emerged at talent agencies such as Johnny & Associates, and warns that sexual harassment should not be ignored as something common in the entertainment industry. She highlighted the importance of creating a safe and respectful environment where idols can thrive.
Despite the limitations of the survey sample, publicizing the reality of this industry is considered an important step towards solving the underlying problems and improving working conditions for women in the world of Japanese entertainment.
