Japan to Require Disclosure of Real Identities for All Entertainers, Including Manga Artists

The entertainment industry in Japan has always had a significant number of anonymous entertainers who either wear masks or use makeup, filters, and other means to conceal their true appearances in order to protect their privacy and image.

On June 23, Japan enacted a new law that mandates all entertainers to work under their real identities, thus forcing the disclosure of their true identities!

This requirement applies to all types of entertainers, including actors, singers, voice actors, manga artists, virtual streamers, and game developers.

This means that manga artists will no longer be able to attend events wearing masks, and certain actors will be exposed to society at large.

As a country with a rich entertainment industry and global culture, Japan's new regulation undoubtedly has a significant impact on the outside world.

This measure has sparked a heated discussion among netizens, with some supporting it, some opposing it, and others concerned about its impact on the lives and careers of many artists.

 

Virtual entertainers, in particular, are an artistic form that relies on maintaining anonymity and a sense of mystery. If their real identities are forcibly disclosed, they may face fan loss, image damage, and creative pressure.

Furthermore, manga artists face another danger, as "blade mailing" becomes a real possibility.

It is reported that the main purpose of the new law in Japan is to increase tax revenue and prevent illegal activities such as money laundering. Many entertainers in the Japanese industry use stage names or pseudonyms, making it difficult to verify and track their true identities and income, causing significant difficulties and losses for the tax authorities. Therefore, the Japanese government has decided to require all entertainers to work under their real identities, registering and using their real names in contracts, accounts, and social security. This will facilitate easier regulation and taxation by the government.

有人解释，其实这不是单独立法，而是税收改革带来的连带影响。

日本动漫产业个体创作者占了50%，按照以前的制度，这些“个体户”只要年收入低于1000万日元就不用交“消费税”，但改了后接了活就要开票上税。不愿意加入新的税收制度就没有票号，那请你干活的公司就要承担这部分税收。人家不想增加负担，那你的工作机会就少了。

为此动漫业、剧团界等个体工作者去年就多次联合抗议，试图阻止新制度通过。个体创作者实名登记曝光身份都是小事，动漫界是担心这项制度一但上路，就会让原本就很血汗的动漫产业更血汗　，如果这些投身于动漫产业的人都赚不到钱，迫不得已转行，那么就会造成人才流失，进而动漫界逐渐失去活力，最终衰败。