Chronology of adult videos in Japan

In Japan, Adult Videos (Japanese: アダルトビデオ, Hepburn: Adaruto Bideo) (AV) are sex or nudity themed videos distinguishable from Toei porno feature films, Nikkatsu Roman Porno feature films, indie studio pink films, and less sex-centred 'V-cinema' or other Original Videos (オリジナル・ビデオ, Orijinaru Bideo) (OV). Adult videos feature sex or nudity, and may not in some cases have a storyline. They are released initially on video, and pass inspection by an adult video ethics committee originally the Nihon Ethics of Video Association (映像倫理機構, Eizō Rinri Kikō) (NEVA), which enforced the placement of video-masking mosaics over pubic hair or genitalia. Toei Porno, Nikkatsu Roman Porno and Pink films are also often concerned with sex, but they are shown first in movie theatres, and are rated by Eirin (映画倫理管理委員会, Eiga Rinri Kanri Iinkai), rather than an adult video ethics organization. The mainstream studio Nikkatsu filmed its Roman Porno line from 1971 through 1988. V-cinema or OV also tend to have a story, but sex if present is less central, and they were released directly to VHS or recently DVD, Blu-Ray or streaming without being first shown in a movie theatre. 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.