Sex tourism: the other side of Japan's coin

TokyoJapan, a country renowned for its ancient culture, technological advances and stunning landscapes, has established itself as one of the most visited tourist destinations in the world. With more than three million international tourists a month, this boom Japan is dragging a disturbing shadow: the alarming increase in sex tourism, a phenomenon completely foreign to most Japanese that could seriously endanger the image of the country, which has invested decades in building itself as a benchmark of culture, security and respect.

According to a recent report by the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the country of the Rising Sun has become a popular destination for sex tourism, thanks to the country's perception of safety, its well-developed infrastructure and accessibility to sexual services. These circumstances have led to a proliferation of businesses fuzoku (adult entertainment) that, although prostitution is technically illegal in the country since 1957, operate regularly taking advantage of legal loopholes. fuzoku They offer sexual services covertly and have expanded to cities such as Tokyo, Osaka and Fukuoka, with a notable increase in foreign clients.

Kabukicho, the hub of the sexual offer

The Kabukicho area, in the centre of Tokyo's Shinjuku district, is one of the areas best known for its sexual offerings. Recently, the police have dismantled several organisations that recruited young girls, often trapped by debts to nightclubs, to prostitute them. There have also been arrests of owners and workers of massage parlours that offered young girls to foreign clients. These operations and the seizure of foreign currency from more than 16 countries highlight the extent of the problem among foreign tourists.

In this neighbourhood, the NGO Nippon Kakikomi-dera has been working since 2002 to help people trapped in the world of prostitution. Yoshihide Tanaka, secretary of the organisation, complains to the ARA that its work is based on private donations, as it receives no support from the government or local authorities. The organization offers free food and legal advice to those – mainly women, but also some men – who want to get out of prostitution and the networks that operate in the neighborhood.

Tanaka points out that many of the girls who work in Kabukicho come from broken families who decide to run away from home due to personal or economic problems and see prostitution as a quick way to earn money. In this context, another vulnerable group are the Toyoko kids, young runaways or looking for a community to integrate into, but all marginalized in one way or another. They form a group that lives between the Tokyu Kabukicho Tower and the Toho cinemas –hence their name–, and often work in nightlife businesses and clandestine venues that offer sexual services.

The situation in Kabukicho has changed with the increase in tourists, many of whom arrive following tours

In Kabukicho, many of the girls offering services, such as Tomoko and Aoi, openly admit to the ARA that they prefer to work with foreign clients, as they tend to pay more and are generally friendlier than Japanese. In addition, they avoid the risk of falling into the hands of what are in many cases undercover police officers. Tomoko, for example, admits that the day before the conversation with this journalist she had earned 130,000 yen (about 825 euros) in a single service with a client, an amount much higher than what she would earn in any other conventional job. The fact that the street is safe and the use of translation apps to communicate with foreigners makes them feel at ease.

A reputational stain

The Japanese government has acknowledged the existence of this problem, but activists believe that the efforts made so far are insufficient. Some measures have been implemented, such as the creation of a helpline for victims of prostitution, as well as increased collaboration with non-governmental organisations. However, these efforts do not address the roots of the problem and civil society is demanding stricter regulation of the adult entertainment industry.

According to Hiroshi Kato, a lawyer specialising in human rights, "the government needs to do more to regulate the industry and protect victims." It is also essential to educate tourists about the consequences of this type of tourism and how they contribute to exploitation.

Sex tourism not only affects the direct victims, but also has a negative impact on Japanese society. Many residents of Kabukicho express their concern about the deterioration of the country's public image, as well as the growth of crime associated with sex tourism. "Japan is a safe and welcoming country, but these activities are damaging our reputation," said a resident of the neighborhood. "We need the government to take stronger measures to protect vulnerable people and maintain the integrity of our neighborhoods."