The Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department announced on October 3rd that they have arrested 80 female hookers, aged between 20 and 46, for violating the Anti-Prostitution Law in Kabukicho, Tokyo, from January to September 2023. The women were caught “waiting for clients” on the streets. The increase of Japanese female hookers around Okubo Park in Kabukicho has been noticeable since around 2019, and has been repeatedly highlighted as an issue in the media.
In response to complaints from local residents, the police have intensified their crackdown on hookers, arresting 35 women in September alone. The purpose of waiting for clients is often to repay food and drink bills at host clubs, or to obtain money to spend at underground idol shops for men, accounting for 40% of the cases. Some of the women are also in debt. On September 22nd, the police conducted simultaneous inspections of 110 establishments, including host clubs, urging them not to illegally collect debts or encourage female customers to engage in prostitution.
When it comes to mass arrests of hookers, the meeting spot “Izumi no Hiroba” in Umeda, Osaka, is symbolic. Between 2019 and 2020, 61 female hookers aged between 17 and 64 were arrested there. Although the hookers disappeared for a while after the arrests, they are now frequently found in the hotel district of Uguisudani-cho, which is above ground from “Izumi no Hiroba” (commonly known as “American Street”).
“It might be difficult to crack down on all hookers in Kabukicho like in Umeda,” says a writer familiar with the nightlife district.
“The major difference between the hookers around Okubo Park in Kabukicho and those in Umeda is the demographic. In Umeda, the number of young female hookers has increased in the last one or two years, but only by a few. The faces are basically the same, so it’s easier for the police to keep an eye on them. When three women were arrested on American Street in Osaka at the end of August, other women also disappeared from the street for a while.”
On weekdays, there are around 10 female hookers on American Street in Osaka, and about 15 at the end of the month, making it easier for the police to keep track. The aforementioned writer explains, “The hookers in Umeda all have their own homes and are mostly standing there to repay debts or host club bills. On the other hand, the hookers in Kabukicho include runaway girls, those without a fixed address, and those engaging in prostitution sporadically to secure a place to sleep for the night. With so many such women, it is probably difficult for the police to crack down on all of them. The hookers arrested this time were either conspicuously soliciting clients or were already marked by the police.”
However, there are also opinions that “it’s like playing whack-a-mole” and “it’s difficult to solve the problem without eliminating it from the root.” In Kabukicho and around Okubo Park, there are times when nearly 100 female hookers are standing. Comprehensive and persistent measures are necessary to crack down on all hookers.
歌舞伎町「客待ち」立ちんぼ女性80人を大量現行犯逮捕でわかった「大阪・梅田とは違う特徴」 | アサ芸プラス
https://www.asagei.com/excerpt/283696
Japanese Anti-Prostitution Law
The Japanese Anti-Prostitution Law, also known as the Prostitution Prevention Law, was enacted in 1956 with the aim of preventing prostitution by punishing acts that promote prostitution and providing guidance and protection for women who are at risk of engaging in prostitution in terms of their sexual conduct or environment[1]. The main points of the law are as follows:
- Punishment for acts that promote prostitution: The law punishes individuals who engage in activities such as managing a place of prostitution or inducing others to engage in prostitution[1].
- Provision of guidance and protection for women: The law includes provisions for the guidance and protection of women who have committed crimes such as soliciting prostitution and are over 20 years old. These women may be subject to a suspended sentence with imprisonment or a fine, and may be placed under guidance in a women’s guidance institute for the necessary support and protection. Women’s consultation offices and women’s protection facilities may also be established for the purpose of protection and rehabilitation[1].
- Related laws: The Anti-Prostitution Law is related to other laws such as the Entertainment Business Law, Child Pornography Prohibition Law, Sexually Transmitted Diseases Prevention Law, Women’s Guidance Institute Law, AV Appearance Victim Protection and Relief Law, and Difficult Women’s Support Law[1].
- Amendments to the law: The Anti-Prostitution Law was amended in May 2022, and the provision of guidance was abolished. The Women’s Guidance Institute Law was also abolished. These amendments will be implemented from April 1, 2024[1].
Legal Escort Services Listing in Tokyo
