By JUMPEI MIURA/ Staff Writer
September 14, 2023 at 19:09 JST
The Asahi Shimbun
More than 20 percent of actors have experienced sexual harassment at work, according to a labor ministry survey that exposed a toxic work culture within the entertainment industry.
The survey, conducted on 640 people from the entertainment and art sectors, is part of the ministry’s annual white paper that covers broader labor issues including “karoshi,” or death from overwork.
This year, a chapter was added to the report to discuss harassment in show business for the first time. A final version of the white paper will be released in October.
The poll showed 20.4 percent of actors and stunt people have suffered from sexual harassment. Of the respondents, 11.1 percent said that they were subjected to unwanted sexual advances while 10.2 percent complained of inappropriate touching.
Furthermore, 9.3 percent said they were forced to show their bodies excessively and 8.3 percent said they were pressed to perform humiliating sexual acts.
Other types of harassment were also reported, with 54.6 percent of actors and stunt people having experienced verbal abuse and 28.7 percent saying they were shouted at or suffered physical violence.
Among voice actors and newsreaders, more than one in four, or 25.7 percent, complained of sexual harassment. Of the respondents, 14.3 percent said they were the targets of unwanted sexual advances and another 14.3 percent said they were touched in inappropriate ways.
Another 68.6 percent said they suffered from verbal abuse and 22.9 percent from shouting or physical violence.
The poll also revealed that actors and stunt people are significantly underpaid. More than 60 percent earn less than 200,000 yen ($1,300) a month, while less than 10 percent make 400,000 yen or more a month.
Experts say that people in the entertainment sector are particularly vulnerable to harassment and abuse due to the power imbalance between performers and those who use them.
The report calls for industry efforts to improve the working environment for performers and artists.
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