TV Tokyo's Gokujo Jikara (Ultra Power Girls)

＜English＞

2009, January 5

Hello, chief editor Yuki here.

Now, I'm not sure how many of you were able to catch the program, but lesbian coverage made the small screen on January 1st! The program, a late-night special called "Gokujo Jikara (Ultra Power Girls)", was broadcast for the New Year. I thought I'd share some thoughts about the show.

First of all, when Tokyo Wrestling was first approached and asked to help with the project, we were very cautious. Up to the present, Japanese programs tended to indulge sensational depictions of lesbians with typically sleazy old titles like "Shinjuku's Nichome in the Middle of the Night: Forbidden Homosexual Paradise". It's hard to ever expect any better.

So, after talking to the director, I agreed to an interview but only on the condition that she would promise me that nowhere in the program would they use words like, "forbidden", "lezzie", "scandalous", or other lurid terms and phrases that stir up the same-old stereotypes.

The director was a very open young woman who showed great sensitivity to the lesbians she worked with. I saw her sincerity reflected in the upbeat (a la The L Word) image of lesbians that shone through the program, one closer to the increasingly positive image currently making its way into the world. Also, I was personally very happy to see that the program featured a couple made up of two beautiful career women who were proud of their relationship - and not depicted as feeling weighed down by their sexuality.

In addition, the commentary given by Japanese actress YOU (who appeared following the segment) was so on the mark that she reminded once again why she's known as the queen of straight talk - and a lovable, modern woman to boot.

It was fun to watch scenes of the women's only event Girlfriend, the girls only bar Motel, and conversation among lesbians, all filmed for the program. I'm also pretty thrilled that at last the mainstream media has produced a stylish Japanese image of lesbian life, similar to what we've seen in programs from other countries.

I'm hoping that lesbian and bisexual women who saw this program were inspired. Other than its special segment on lesbians, the program also included some material relating to "Sex & the City". I get the feeling that a new era for women is just starting in Japan. I can't wait to see more mainstream programming portray lesbians with the same bold flair and optimism!

★Here are the results for TW's Lesbians' Choice for Japan's Hottest Women, as aired on the program!

1. Juri Ueno
2. Anna Tsuchiya
3. Meisa Kuroki　
4. Tomomi Nishimoto　
5. Chiharu Icho

★To return to Tokyo Wrestling's homepage, follow the link here.