As the yen weakens and poverty rises in Japan, its capital city has turned into a 'sex tourism' hub. In the golden years, Tokyo saw a massive economic boom. It remains one of the most liveable cities in the world and a financial power hub. However, with rising poverty, a declining economy, and a weakening Japanese yen against other currencies, the city has become a hotbed for sex tourism.
The South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported that there was a time when Japanese men used to go to other less-developed countries for sexual adventures, but now the tables have turned. Now, men from other foreign countries are travelling to Japan in search of sex. As per The Star report, Yoshihide Tanaka, secretary general of the Liaison Council Protecting Youths (Seiboren), said, "Japan has become a poor country."
He further added that the park next to his office building has become synonymous with the sex trade. The city saw an influx of foreign men visiting the park just after the pandemic restrictions were dropped. Tanaka said, "Now we are seeing a lot more foreign men. They come from many countries. They are white, Asian, and Black—but the majority are Chinese."
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Japan is facing a troubling rise in teenagers and women in their early twenties turning to the sex industry due to financial struggles, added Tanaka.
Kazunori Yamanoi of the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan expressed concerns about the country’s global image, stating, "Japan has become a place where foreign men can essentially buy young women. This is no longer a domestic issue but a serious international problem," reported by Japan Times.
The Tokyo Metropolitan Police arrested five individuals accused of violating the Employment Security Act. The group reportedly used social media to recruit women for the sex industry, signing contracts with around 350 establishments nationwide.
Many women are driven to the trade by debt, including those incurred at host clubs—venues where men entertain women over food and drinks. These clubs have been linked to exploitative practices, trapping women in cycles of debt.
As per police, some women have turned to sex work to fund their spending at host clubs.
According to the Metropolitan Police Department, 43% of women arrested for street solicitation in 2023 admitted they did so to pay off host club debts. Most were in their twenties, with three being underage.
Loopholes and inadequate enforcement of existing laws further exacerbate women’s vulnerability, exposing them to physical violence and sexually transmitted diseases. Comparatively, in countries like the Netherlands, while prostitution is legal and regulated, sex trafficking remains a significant issue.