Full Description
A star-making factory without rival, the Japanese talent agency Johnny's Jimusho has brought fame to several generations of male stars - singers, actors and performers. Beyond the Male Idol Factory asks what the phenomenon of "Johnny's Idols" reveals about discourses of masculinity and national identity in contemporary Japan.
Examining the pervasive presence of these stars across a wide range of Japanese media, the book explores how Johnny's Idols act as role models of ideal masculinity and good citizenship as well as entertainers. Taking a wide-ranging cultural studies approach, the book assesses the social, economic and demographic contexts of these familiar stars in post-industrial and post-Bubble Japanese society.
Contents
1. Introduction
2. Johnny's Jimusho in Japan's Post-war History
3. The Male Idol Factory: How are Johnnys Produced in Post-Bubble Japan
4. If Japan is In a Predicament, Some are Meant to be Called National Idols
5. Gendered Idol Ideologies
6. The Voices of Japanese Fans
7. Conclusion: Johnny's Idols' Ideological Roles in Contemporary Japan
References
Index
