This Asian city is becoming a hub for sex tourism due to rising…, it’s not Bangkok, Jakarta, Bali, Singapore, Hong Kong

The primary driver of sex tourism in any country is rising poverty, with major contributors including the lack of employment opportunities, particularly for women from humble backgrounds. However, this notion is being challenged with the emergence of Japan, a developed country, as a hub for sex tourism in Asia.

This also raises questions about the impact of socioeconomic factors and whether they are challenging Japan’s status as a developed country.

Economic Growth And Extramarital Relationships

The country witnessed a period of tremendous growth that attracted foreign currency. Japanese men, who were earning well, had extramarital relationships with women from economically disadvantaged countries.

Tokyo has emerged as a prominent destination for sex tourism, attracting thousands of foreign men. This transformation takes place in the face of a depreciating yen and rising poverty levels, The Star reported.

According to the secretary general of the Japan Liaison Council Protecting Youths (Ciboren) Yoshihide Tanaka, Japan has become a poor country while speaking to This Week in Asia.

Teenagers And Women Turning Into Sex Slaves

Tanaka’s company witnessed an increase in the footfall of foreign visitors visiting the park immediately after the lifting of the travel restrictions following the pandemic.

“But now we are seeing a lot more foreign men; they come from many countries. They are white, Asian, black, but most are Chinese,” he said.

Tanaka also showed worry with the influx, stating that teenagers and women in their twenties turning to the sex industry to survive.

Prostitution In Tokyo

TokyoHive reports a rising trend in the sex trade scene in Tokyo’s renowned Kabukicho district. Tanaka shares his decade-long journey of aiding young Japanese women drawn to this controversial area. He accentuates how susceptible individuals continue to fall prey to a complex web of bars, romantic hotels, and host clubs.

In search of better opportunities and an improved lifestyle, many young females resort to sex work in Kabukicho, driven by mounting financial burdens. Once caught in this profession, they’re faced with severe hardships, including the traumatic experience of multiple abortions, which starkly paints a picture of their difficult circumstances. Interestingly, nearly half of the clientele are non-Japanese nationals.

Violence With Sex Workers

Sometimes these women experience acts of violence from their clients, an issue that sadly doesn’t get the attention it deserves. The situation is made even more challenging due to the lack of help they receive from those in law enforcement or governmental positions who often turn a blind eye to the plight of women in the sex industry. This creates a troubling cycle, difficult to escape from. What’s more, there appears to be a disturbing lack of interest in addressing this issue among those who hold the reins of power. It’s also still open to question whether an uplift in Japan’s economy would bring about any significant changes for the better in this scenario.