Momona Koibuchi Spa! Interview (english translation)
Recently, JAV actress Momona Koibuchi gave an interview on sexual harassment, strict parents, and future dreams.
Top Japanese adult video star Momona Koibuchi recently sat down with Japanese tabloid Spa! to talk about her career and her unique journey—from working as a civil servant in Yamagata, northeastern Japan, to becoming a leading figure in the industry.
Here are some highlights from the 26-year-old’s candid interview.
Q. You started out as a civil servant before becoming a porn actress. Was that career path something you had always aspired to?
Momona Koibuchi: Not at all. I’ve always loved fashion, so I originally wanted to work in the apparel industry or become a fashion designer. I also enjoy interacting with people, so a job in customer service appealed to me.
Q. What led you to pursue a job in the civil service then?
Koibuchi: I was really just following what my parents wanted. I had hoped to attend a private liberal arts university because I’m passionate about history. But my mother strongly opposed the idea—she said I’d never find a job and even threatened not to pay my tuition. Living in a rural town in Yamagata, I felt like becoming a civil servant was one of the few viable options available to me.
Q. Did you start working as a civil servant right after high school?
Koibuchi: No, I actually didn’t prepare much for the exam and ended up failing the first year.
Q. What clubs were you part of in high school?
Koibuchi: I joined the broadcasting club. I was really into anime back then—and I still am. I even dreamed of becoming a voice actor.
Q. Did you seriously consider that career path?
Koibuchi: I did, but my parents were firmly against it.
Q. Were they strict about your future?
Koibuchi: Very. They believed a stable job like being a civil servant was best. Maybe they also hoped I’d stay in Yamagata, get married, and settle down.
Q. What was your experience like as a civil servant?
Koibuchi: I worked in the tax department, handling things like light vehicle tax, nursing care insurance premiums, and medical insurance for the elderly.
Because I had the top score on the civil service exam, I was given a far heavier workload than others. I stayed late every night doing overtime, while my colleagues left on time. Working on a computer all day was also tough for me. I often questioned whether I was suited for that kind of job.
Q. You also experienced sexual harassment at work.
Koibuchi: Yes, it was disturbingly routine. People would ask inappropriate questions like, “What cup size are you?” At drinking parties, it wasn’t uncommon for someone to grope me. Once, a man grabbed my hand in a taxi and tried to kiss me. I slapped ¥5,000 on the seat and got out immediately.
Q. That sounds incredibly difficult.
Koibuchi: In the middle of my first year, the job became unbearable, and I started experiencing serious mental health issues. The harassment only made things worse.
I was diagnosed with schizophrenia and prescribed medication, but it didn’t seem to help. I lost my appetite and couldn’t even swallow my saliva. I dropped 10 kilograms in just a week.
I was in such a desperate state that every morning I would try to stab myself in the stomach with a knife. A doctor at the hospital told me, “This is dangerous—you should be hospitalized for a while,” and I ended up spending about four months in a psychiatric facility.
Q. Were you able to return to work after your hospitalization?
Koibuchi: I did go back, but my body and mind couldn’t handle it. I ended up vomiting in the bathroom at work, and eventually I had to quit.
Q. Were your parents against you quitting?
Koibuchi: My mother hoped I would just endure it. I ended up confiding in my paternal grandparents who lived close by.
Q. What happened after you quit your job as a civil servant?
Koibuchi: I felt I couldn’t continue any longer. With support from my grandparents, I relocated to Sendai and started working part-time. During a visit to Tokyo, I went to an audition and eventually made my adult film debut in April 2022.
Q. Were you considering becoming a porn actress from an early stage?
Koibuchi: I was a fan of Hibiki Otsuki for a long time. I’ve always had a desire to be seen. Pursuing that feeling played a big part in my decision.
But honestly, the size of my breasts was also a major factor. I figured if there was a job where I could turn what I saw as a burden into a strength, it might be the right fit for me.
Q. Were you insecure about the size of your breasts?
Koibuchi: Definitely. I had an E cup in my first year of junior high—looking back, it’s kind of ridiculous. No matter the job, I was always subjected to unwanted attention. Now, even O-cup bras feel too small. I don’t even bother measuring anymore. I’m limited in what I can wear, so I often resort to bra tops to try to flatten my chest.
Q. Were you not worried about suddenly making the shift into porn?
Koibuchi: I did a lot of preparation in advance and carefully selected the agency I’m now with.
Q. Do your parents know about your work?
Koibuchi: At first, I didn’t say anything. But eventually, I got tired of hiding it and decided to be upfront with them.
My mom initially thought I was doing something like gravure modeling. My dad tends to stay quiet whenever she’s around.
I actually told my grandparents about my debut earlier than my parents. I brought them all the photo books I’d published and asked my grandmother to take a look. She flipped through every page, even the nude ones, and told me they were beautiful.
In this line of work, people either accept you or they don’t. Right now, I’m living a life I enjoy.
I used to believe my parents were always right until I moved out. Gaining that distance helped me see relationships more clearly.
It might help to step back for a while—if you can reconnect as a family later, great. If not, sometimes it’s necessary to let go.
Leaving home allowed me to find a career that fits me better than being a civil servant. I also hope to receive offers for voice acting someday—it’s been a longtime dream of mine.