Japanese male idols and the production and circulation of value

Abstract

Framed within cultural studies, this article offers a longitudinal case study on how the symbolic and cultural value of Japanese male idols is constructed through fan practices and subsequently transformed into economic value. Drawing on ethnographic research – including participant observation, in-depth interviews, and informal conversations with fans in Japan (2008–19), as well as digital ethnography through 2024 – the study reveals how production agencies design idol personas with symbolic attributes that encourage ritualized fan engagement. These practices involve the sacralization of places, objects and experiences, reinforcing fans’ sense of identity and community. In turn, this sustained engagement generates economic benefits across multiple sectors.