ABSTRACT
This chapter briefly introduces the production, regulation and circulation of AVs in Japan, and thus the industrial context against which the chapters that follow should be understood. We suggest that at least seven ‘stakeholders’ – namely AV maker, model agency, production company, postproduction company, regulatory association, dubbing and packaging company, and wholesalers (tonya) – as well as rental or retail shops are involved in the industry (Asuka 2005: 27; Inoue 2002: 26–7) (Figure 3.1).
