Chronology of adult videos in Japan

In Japan, 'adult videos' (アダルトビデオ AV) are distinguished from 'pink films' on the one hand, and 'V-cinema' or original video (オリジナル・ビデオ OV) on the other. Adult videos are focused on sex, and may not in some cases have a storyline. They are released initially on video, and pass inspection by an adult video ethics committee such as NEVA (Nihon Ethics of Video Association) or Eizourin (映像倫理機構 Eizou Rinri Kikou) which enforce mosaics over pubic hair or genitalia. Pink films may be concerned with sex, but tend to focus more on story, and they are rated by Eirin (Eiga Rinri Kanri Iinkai 映画倫理管理委員会) rather than an adult video ethics organization. The mainstream studio Nikkatsu focused on pink films through its Roman Porno line from 1971 through 1988. V-cinema or OV also tend to focus on a story, but sex if present is less central, and they are released on video to be displayed in video stores or rental shops alongside mainstream movies.　 Many V-cinema works are produced by video-focused subsidiaries of the big film studios, e.g. SHV Cinema for Shochiku. OV can be rated by the Eirin or Eizourin depending on the content.

This is a chronological history of the AV (adult video) industry in Japan. The main events relevant to the AV industry are discussed for each year, as well as notable debuts. Names are given in Western order (i.e., family name second), and alphabetized by family name.

In the late 1960s, the 'pink film', or adult film market in Japan was largely the realm of low-budget independent companies. The major studios, Daiei, Nikkatsu, Shochiku, Toei and Toho tended to focus on story-based films with little nudity or sex.

Sony released its first U-matic video cassette recorders, providing an early alternative to theatrical film. Film required developing while videotape could be played back right after recording. The high price of the U-matics limited their use mainly to television studios and news crews.

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