Koda Kumi, the popular Japanese-pop singer personifies the word 'ero-kakkoii' as the latest idol that exudes sensuality from head to foot. Like her Western counterpart, Madonna, she seems to be in complete control of her sexual composure. In her own right, she is an established singer and dancer winning some top music awards last year. However, she is better known as a trendsetter with her erotic fashion, artistically painted fingernails, and smug confidence.

Like her trend-setting predecessors, Amuro Namie and Ayu Hamazaki, Koda Kumi has fired up the young generation with her unique style of flaunting her body. Appearing everywhere from billboards to TV commercials, Koda is the "hottest property" sought after by Japanese marketers. Unlike her previous predecessors who have contributed enormously in epitomizing the cute culture, Koda has essentially transformed the cute image of "Lolita" (the childlike adult) into "Venus" (the sexual goddess). One could even say that she single-handedly pushed Lolita to grow up - emerging from a "sweet, innocent nymph" to a "mature seductive beauty". Despite the Japanese perception of Koda as the 'erotic-cool' of the cute culture, her sexy attire is no different from any Western celebrities or models in skimpy-clad fashion appearing on the screen or magazine covers.

Worshipped as a role model by young women, Koda's fashion style -- to expose more skin -- is fast becoming mainstream in Japan. Young women are wearing highly revealing clothes -- from bareback dresses and tube tops to low-rise hot pants and super-mini skirts. For some to stay on the cutting edge of fashion, they seek out the transparent look with the mise bura ("revealing bras") and mise pan ("revealing panties") in exclusive boutiques. The bright colored bras are worn with plunging necklines and the G-string panties are designed to show from underneath hip-hugging jeans. Even some young men are now wearing deep-cut tank tops as a fashion statement.

Info from some website, image from deviantart.