The industry is dominated by talent agencies. Most famous is Johnny & Associates (now Smile-Up, restructured post-scandal), historically the monopoly on male idols. To get a male lead in a "Golden Hour" drama, you must be a Johnny’s talent. This gatekeeping ensures quality control but stifles independent actors. Similarly, agencies like Oscar Promotion or Horipro manage female talent from adolescence to middle age.
Japan's entertainment market is one of the largest in the world, rooted in a "Big Four" studio system and a music industry that ranks second globally.