Japan’s tourism boom is bringing renewed attention to the country’s sex industry. A weaker yen and the country’s appeal to international visitors have helped draw tourists from across Asia, Europe and the Americas, while also adding pressure to relations between visitors and local residents. The effects are being felt beyond hotels and popular attractions, including in Tokyo’s nightlife districts.
In Kabukichō, a central Tokyo area known for its bars, karaoke venues and clubs, women are increasingly visible offering sex in public spaces. This form of street prostitution, known as tachinbo, differs from the established businesses that operate in Japan’s sex industry, including themed bars, soaplands and pink salons.
Reports suggest the number of women seeking customers in the area rose after the pandemic. A previous account by EFE described a change from three or four women gathering in a local park before the health crisis to several dozen afterward, with activity spreading to nearby areas. The Tokyo Metropolitan Police arrested 112 women in the district last year, though the total number working on the streets is unclear.
Foreign visitors have also become part of the discussion. AFP reported that tourists, including people from South Korea, China, the United States and Europe, were visiting Okubo after seeing videos about women working there. One woman told the agency that around half of her clients were from outside Japan, and that some used translation apps to ask about prices. Videos on platforms such as TikTok and Bilibili have also drawn attention to the area.
The trend has prompted debate about whether Japan is becoming a destination for sex tourism and whether its laws should change. The country’s main legislation, the 1956 Prostitution Prevention Law, penalizes soliciting sexual services. Human Rights Watch says the law covers both clients and sex workers, but that enforcement places much of the burden on women, who can face fines and up to six months in prison.
Those calling for reform disagree on what it should involve. Some argue that clients should face penalties, while others warn that stricter enforcement could push sex workers further underground and make it harder for them to report abuse. The growth in street prostitution and its visibility online have made that debate more urgent.
Sources: Xataka.