Help for Japanese actors to draw line in sex scenes

Momoko Nishiyama sits on a set outside Tokyo with a drama's director and watches as a man undresses a woman. She's helping guide the scene as one of just two "intimacy coordinators" in Japan.

Japan's film and television industry has been hit by sexual abuse allegations recently that have led to apologies and movies pulled. But while Hollywood has embraced intimacy coordinators in the wake of the #MeToo movement they are relatively new in Japan.

"In the United States everyone knows what an intimacy coordinator is, but in Japan I have to start by explaining what it is that I do, and that I'm not the director's enemy," says Nishiyama, whose recent projects include a TV series with many intimate scenes.

On set, Nishiyama, 43, confers with the director and advises actors how to move and adjusts outfits. But her work starts well before anyone shouts "action," beginning with a reading of the script.

She explains: "I say to the director: 'Here it says A embraces B. Will it go further than that?' or 'What clothes will the actors be wearing? How undressed will they get?'"

She then meets with each actor to determine their boundaries.

"This is a scene without a bra," she'll say. "If we don't show your chest are you okay with it?"

Asuka Kawazuthere, 23, says without an intimacy coordinator "a case could arise where we agree on something, but when shooting we realize we're going much further than planned."

Nishiyama has seen demand for her services increase after accusations of harassment and abuse. Some allegations prompted a group of directors, including celebrated auteur Hirokazu Kore-eda, to call for change.

Miwa Nishikawa says directors "were shocked" by accusations and the industry's inaction.

The directors back the use of intimacy coordinators, though Nishikawa cautions they can't end off-set abuse. Still, their presence shows "the safety and dignity of actors and staff" are more protected.

On a set in Tokyo, director Kenji Kuwashima is happy having Nishiyama there, saying: "Until now relations were much more top-down, with the director saying 'do this.' But it's become more equal and both sides benefit."

When preparing to go on set, Nishiyama gathers props that help keep scenes realistic while protecting actors.

She's never without a range of silicone patches that prevent contact between intimate parts of the body and a maebari - a made-to-measure modesty garment.

From a bag she pulls out a collection of underwear ranging from panties to thongs in different skin tone shades. "I've always got about 30," she says, laughing.

Nishiyama started her career as a production coordinator, mainly for Japanese shoots and took up her current role after an intensive US training course.

The rising demand for her services suggests "things are changing, little by little," she says.

But she admits feeling "a little powerless" to hear some people accused of abuse continue to work unchallenged.

"There are more film sets with a healthy atmosphere," she says, "but things must change more."