Awa Odori Organizer Issues Warning Against Inappropriate Filming of Dancers, Aiming to Create Safe Space for Performers

The Tokushima City Awa Odori Dance Festival organizer has issued a stern warning against filming close-up videos of female dancers' bodies without their consent and uploading them to the internet. This warning comes in response to the surge in such videos being filmed and shared online, causing distress among the dancers. A 32-year-old female dancer expressed her disappointment, stating that such videos are "sad and creepy."

One such video, uploaded on TikTok last year, showed the lines of the dancer's underwear visible through her practice outfit, which had been filmed during a practice session. The video has garnered over a million views and generated inappropriate comments about her body. Since then, the dancer has taken extra precautions, such as wearing dark-colored outfits and additional layers to hide her body lines.

She emphasized that the issue has become more prevalent each year. The Yomiuri Shimbun reached out to the video uploader for clarification but received no response. Other TikTok and Instagram accounts feature videos focused on Awa Odori dancers' bodies, often taken with a sexual intent. Aho ren, a renowned dance group with around 150 members, has also observed an uptick in sexually-focused videos in recent years.

Masayuki Tatekawa, the group's leader, has warned people filming such videos, suspecting them of being inappropriate. The female dancer from Aho ren noted that these videos may discourage young people from participating in the dance. To address the issue, the Awa Odori Executive Committee has started issuing warnings about appropriate filming etiquette on their website.

They plan to report serious cases to the police. Koji Shono, the committee's head, stressed the importance of creating a safe environment for dancers so that everyone can enjoy Awa Odori without worry.