Japanese idol group bans all gifts from fans to teen singers to help protect their values

This whole make a buck off of Japanese teens and preteens is just sick

They make them into tiny teen sex idols then want to protect them. Its a grubby business this one. Was in a shopping centre one day when there was a show and meet with one of these generic girl groups. The creeps that were there to meet and greet these wide eyed empty headed girls made the hair on the back of my neck stand up. Apparently, delving a bit they play a role alleviating repressed ( not so much ) sexual frustration . There would be much more rape and kidnapping without them apparently. Keeping the demons at bay so to speak by creating a fantasy. A lucrative one at that.

Funny that a scumbag idol manager who sexualizes pre teens and teens for the gratification of adults suddenly cares about their “values”

It would be nice if it was all innocent but these days, one casts a suspicious eye over the whole business.

As for mental and societal values, that works both ways. Look no further to some of the misogynist reactions dished out to the Kardashians yesterday.

Young or old, businesswomen or entertainers - someone out there is going to target you. With unsuitable gifts or comments about your body.

Despicable.

Kojin goes on to express another concern: the effects such pricey presents can have on the mental development of Batten Showjo-tai’s members, who range in age from 14 to 18 years old.

“We are also concerned that if idols, who are girls in their teens, receive expensive gifts from fans, there is the possibility that it will warp their mental and societal values

Yes, of course! And after a career as a Japanese teen idol I am sure most the girls (and the boys) are well-prepared for a normal life as a nobody with mental and societal values in tact. Just wonder about the mental and societal values that got them there in the first place. Not warped at all!

I entered a darts competition...(yeah, I know...Zzzz) at a large venue and next door they had one of though meet and greet events.

Would have been nice to see had the fan base NOT comprised of mostly men, upwards of twenties into...well...older blokes than me!

You just have to be prepared to protect the girls after sending back the gifts. What happened to Mayu Tomita was horrible and can't happen again.

Some cosmetic attempt at integrity can't take away the sordidness and seediness of the business.

The slimy scumbag that exploits these young girls is worried about ‘their’ values? He should be more concerned about his own values.

This whole ‘idol’ phenomenon, both male and female is just a blatant exploitation of young girls and boys. The majority of the fan base for the idol girls groups are middle-aged men. I’ve seen them watching the video clips on the trains and they rarely are listening to the music. Most of these girls are untalented and their songs are poorly choreographed and presented, but as long as they have their little skirts or swimsuits on they sell.

Values.  surely we should have some sort of Values and Beliefs statement from the band?

All those nasty men, idolizing the idols.

I must say I never knew the dancing was called "Wotagei", so that's my chuckle for the day.

... Nowhere are three crusty tissues they allegedly received a few months ago mentioned.. Disgusting!!!

If I was a manager of any of these groups, I would ban any gifts from fans for any member younger or older, boy or girl. Specially after the teddy bear with a hidden GPS device incident.

The individual members should just start a gofundme or patreon account, and ask fans to help support them that way. I think they could make quite a hefty sum.

“We are also concerned that if idols, who are girls in their teens, receive expensive gifts from fans, there is the possibility that it will warp their mental and societal values, so we are taking this opportunity to restrict any and all presents from fans.”

I don't get it.

Kojin goes on to explain that despite repeated requests for fans not to send gifts of the specific classes mentioned, there’s been no noticeable decrease in such activity, especially for gift certificates and expensive items. It’s gotten to the point where disposing of the restricted presents, as well as storing them in the interim, has become such a major time drain, and Kojin goes on to express another concern: the effects such pricey presents can have on the mental development of Batten Showjo-tai’s members, who range in age from 14 to 18 years old.

He is a dictatorship like Libyan dictator Gaddafi. He exploits teenage wannabe with a little reward and sexualize them for his own benefit. I have no doubt about this guy steals some expensive gift items sent from fans to girls. Perhaps, he was caught by the girls but, threatening them with throwing out of the group if they tell about it to others. So he banned the girls receiving gifts from their fans. Government needs to regulate Pop idol business and how the management Company has paid and the contract as well as the minimum age for idol.

@Disillusioned: The slimy scumbag that exploits these young girls is worried about ‘their’ values? He should be more concerned about his own values.

Are we not forgetting that these youngsters all have parent(s) that allow their children to be “exploited”? When the kids’ own parents don’t have a problem with it why would the managers be in the least bit concerned with the idol business model.