When discussing Japan, the sex industry is always a hot topic.
Many people mistakenly believe that sex work is legal in Japan; however, Japanese law clearly states that sex work is illegal.
Despite this legal stance, the number of people engaged in the sex industry, both men and women, remains high.
It is evident that, by 2024, the phenomenon of young people in Japan being addicted to the sex industry has shown a significant upward trend.
According to a survey conducted by the National Institute of Infectious Diseases in Japan in 2014, the number of syphilis patients is shocking.
The data shows that there were 1,226 cases of syphilis in Japan in 2013, compared to just 621 cases in 2010.
Today, over a decade later, this figure has changed dramatically.
By 2023, the number of syphilis infections in Japan surged to 14,906, more than twelve times the number from ten years ago.
By September 2024, the number of syphilis cases had reached 10,162, and if this trend continues, it may set new records by the end of the year.
This is just the official data; the actual situation may be even more severe.
So, why are there so many sex workers in Japan when sex work is illegal?
Why has the syphilis infection rate remained persistently high?
To understand the development of the sex industry in Japan, one must trace back to the unique historical context at the beginning of Japan’s capitalist system.
After the Meiji Restoration, Japan rapidly transformed from a feudal agricultural nation into a powerful industrial country, driven by multiple factors.
One reason was the political benefits and resources gained from victories in foreign wars, while another source was the large number of prostitutes in the country.
When Japan became a capitalist nation, the government viewed the existence of geishas and prostitutes as an outdated culture and decided to abolish the female trafficking system from the feudal era.
This change granted many young women freedom; however, due to a lack of income, they struggled to make a living.
To survive, many chose to return to the old ways, selling their bodies to support themselves.
Simultaneously, with the rapid development of the Japanese economy, a new class of wealthy elites emerged.
These individuals secretly supported this special group to satisfy their own desires.
Faced with an insatiable demand, the Japanese government ultimately chose to legalize the sex industry and strengthen regulation.
This decision was not made out of humanitarian concerns but rather to facilitate taxation.
In addition to legally supporting the sex industry domestically, the Japanese government also organized large-scale operations for young women to go abroad, participating in sex work to earn foreign currency.
This situation continued until Japan initiated aggressive wars abroad, at which point the militaristic government introduced the “comfort women” system, making sex workers legally recognized as “military prostitutes.”
After World War II, the US military occupied Japan. On the third day after Japan announced its surrender, the Ministry of Home Affairs began recruiting young women engaged in the sex industry to provide services for the stationed US troops.
At its peak, up to 70,000 women were serving American soldiers.
It wasn't until 1946 that Japan gradually abolished the sex industry, with legislation enacted in 1956 that completely banned sex work.
This ban was not voluntary on Japan's part but rather a response to the surge in sexually transmitted diseases following the military's use of these services.
To ensure the combat readiness of the US troops stationed in Japan, the American government ordered a prohibition on sex work.
Despite this, the long-term presence of US troops in Japan still led to numerous incidents of rape, prompting the Japanese government to designate “red-light districts” near military bases for American soldiers to access sex services.
Entering the 1990s, Japan's economy continued to languish, leading to widespread unemployment among young women and a decline in social vitality.
Additionally, the far-reaching impact of the feminist movement on the workplace meant that women were often prioritized for layoffs, significantly reducing their employment opportunities.
Consequently, the number of sex workers began to rise.
At the same time, with the development of new media, Japan's adult video (AV) industry rapidly emerged. Although sex work is not legally recognized, it continues to expand in practice.
Today, Japan’s sex industry remains active. Besides some women who are forced into the industry due to family circumstances, many others enter for personal preferences or economic reasons.
Recently, reports in Japan highlighted a story about a 24-year-old woman who met a host at a bar. Under his guidance, she quickly fell into a consumption vortex, ultimately dropping out of school due to massive debts and becoming a sex worker.
Such stories are not uncommon; many women find themselves ensnared in the industry while chasing after so-called “love” or economic benefits.
The surge in syphilis cases also reflects the challenges faced by the country’s sex industry after its legalization.
While some argue that regular health checks improve safety, the continued rise in syphilis cases calls this claim into question.
Regulating the underground sex industry is almost impossible. Similar to the issues that arose in the Netherlands and Germany after the legalization of sex work, problems like drug abuse and human trafficking have intensified.
Once the floodgates to the legalization of sex work are opened, it may lead countless young people down an irreversible path.
This situation is not just a personal tragedy; it signifies a moral decline in society.
Throughout this process, how many individuals have been coerced into sex work, and the hidden evils behind this are immeasurable.
Therefore, the legalization of sex work should not be undertaken lightly.
Comments