Idol group charges extra for photos with fans not wearing masks due to cornoavirus

Wrong wrong wrong.... sounds like prostitution.

they've decided to charge extra for pictures with fans who don't wear sickness masks.

Fans have got this the wrong way, now you can use someone else's photo and not have to pay the fee anymore.

The idea being that an increased price will motivate people to pay attention to the sickness mass shortage in Japan.

No. The idea came about by finding a way to capitalize on the current event.

I honestly wouldn't want a photo with any of them.

The one of the left is saying "pay up" with that hand gesture

an official statement from the group's management says it's an effort to raise awareness regarding the shortage of sickness masks in Japan

... by making people buy them for unnecessary reasons like taking pictures with idols? How does this make sense at all??

America invented and perfected capitalism but Japan one-upped it

Paying to have a photo taken with these ? !

Donate the money to some good cause.

This is absolutely crazy

My god, for a moment I thought they were the latest robots! Sorry, but I'd rather have a photo taken with my computer.

And what is this obsession with trying to look more western with dyed hair, light brown contact lenses and eye-opening (literally) surgery? Are they not proud to be East Asian/Japanese?

And what is this obsession with trying to look more western with dyed hair, light brown contact lenses and eye-opening (literally) surgery? Are they not proud to be East Asian/Japanese?

This comment is so 1998. This is pretty common in the Capital. The straight black hair look is still the norm across the country imo.

Any man lining up and willing to pay to have his photo taken with an under age girl is already sick, but a mask won't help his illness.

So the management is willing to risk the poor girls getting sick just to make some extra bucks? Wouldn't a better way to raise awareness would be to not allow anyone to take pictures with them without a mask??

an official statement from the group's management says it's an effort to raise awareness regarding the shortage of sickness masks in Japan. The idea being that an increased price will motivate people to pay attention to the sickness mass shortage in Japan.

I think people are pretty aware. If I am already here and can't get a mask due to the shortage, it's fairly safe to say I am aware of the shortage. Shameful money-grubbing scheme. Poor girls

Such an obvious scam.  They are really saying that an extra 1000 would compensate them for being infected?

The poor young women (girls?) look like typical fantasy fodder for their saddo fanbase.  Haven't heard their "music" but bet it is pretty sucky.

This is the most obnoxious thing I’ve read in a while, but also about on par from what you’d expect from the idol industry in terms of sleazy ways to earn money.

gogogo, a university student who frequently sports this look informed me that the "money rubbing fingers" is actually supposed to be viewed as forming a tiny heart. Still, I agree with you and others. The fans come knowing they will have pay up for photos and so the industry rakes in the cash. Quite exciting if you are 17. Kinda pathetic if you are over 20 and need to develop marketable skills. IMHO.

You’ve heard of AKB - now meet GGG. Girls Gotta Grift.

Man, this is exploitation of the very worst. America has similar settings with 'beauty pageants', the 'Better Than Sex' (true name!) ice cream girls posing in a photo with you for $80 (I saw this at a sci-fy convention and I didn't patronize it), and yes, the pop-tart music industry. It's so perverted, disgusting, sick and so wrong

                                                                                                                                                         wrong

                                                                                                                                                         WRONG!!!!!!!!!!

What's next, these idols will start selling their used masks? Let me guess, if they wear it while the picture is taken and sign it after it's an extra 5000 Yen.

sickness mass shortage in Japan

Like a Catholic mass?

Possibly not a good idea and it comes across as exploitative. I'd be having a go at management for this cynical ploy, rather than the artists themselves. Alas, pop stars have always been used and abused by management and money-grabbers. Hope this will change sooner, rather than later.

Like a Catholic mass?

Eh?

Pukey2:

And what is this obsession with trying to look more western with dyed hair, light brown contact lenses and eye-opening (literally) surgery? Are they not proud to be East Asian/Japanese?

Have you been to the west, particularly america, lately? Nobody likes their natural look. Dying their hair like anime characters without the ginormous eyes (blue, green, yellow [not blonde]), shaving the sides of their heads but leaving the top without any blending, facial piercings and tattoos everywhere. Are they not proud to be western/American? See what I did?

So if I go in full bio suit (white or yellow plastic suit with plexiglass face), do i get free or discounted photo?

Knowbetter:

What's next, these idols will start selling their used masks? Let me guess, if they wear it while the picture is taken and sign it after it's an extra 5000 Yen.

Shh. Dont give them any ideas. ;)

Expat:

Are they quadruplets, or clones?

People from a different race and ethnicity have more trouble telling another race/ethnicity apart individually. Look closer. Not all white people, latinos, or black people look the same either. ;)

So let me get this straight...you have to pay extra to STILL put the idol in danger because you didn't bring a mask with you. They're will to do that for only a few yen more.

NO NO NO. They should just stop doing photo's while this virus is going around. Jesus, don't they care about their idols at all?

Capitalism.

Not that I care to meet these young ladies, and would certainly not pay for it, but I wish people here would learn one and for all that masks do NOT help you when it comes to preventing a virus, plain and simple. Only people infected should wear one, and why would you go near someone infected intentionally, paid or not. Masks are a psychological soother for Japanese, and that's all. I've been asked by people lately to "Wear one, please, because it will make others feel better," to which I said, "Exactly! Feel better, and feel more relaxed (and guard down), but it won't actually make them better or more safe; just more complacent".

They're young - that's all it takes in Japan

Where would they be without youth going for them

Japanese entertainment business is very shady and this is a classic example of exploiting young people,

just wondering what kind of parents let their kids go down this path.

Perhaps used idol masks will be the next vending machine fad..

just wondering what kind of parents let their kids go down this path.

Indeed. And what kind of person thinks this is all ok, and salivates over these young people and denigrates them for being pawns in this exploitative industry?