• Source:JND
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In recent years, Japan's capital, Tokyo, has found itself grappling with a host of economic challenges, from a weakening currency to a steady rise in poverty rates. Amidst these struggles, the city has become an unexpected hotspot for a growing and troubling trend: ‘sex tourism’. 

According to a report from The Star, Tokyo's emergence as a key destination for this illicit industry is directly linked to its economic hardships. As the value of the yen continues to slide and income inequality becomes more pronounced, an increasing number of people, both domestic and international, are turning to the city's underbelly to seek out services in the sex trade.

Yoshihide Tanaka, Secretary General of the Liaison Council Protecting Youths (Seiboren), stTokyo's emergence as a key destination for this illicit industry is directly linked to its economic hardships. As the value of the yen continues to slide and income inequality becomes more pronounced, an increasing number of people, both domestic and international, are turning to the city's underbelly to seek out services in the sex trade.ated that Japan has become a ‘poor country’. He noted a rise in foreigners, particularly Chinese men, visiting Tokyo for its sex industry since post-pandemic travel restrictions were lifted. Tanaka highlighted that this trend is accompanied by an increase in teenagers and young women entering the sex trade to survive, as well as a surge in violence related to the industry.

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Foreign Men, Mostly Chinese, Drive Surge In Sex Trade

He added that the park next to his office building has become a hotspot for the sex trade, with an influx of foreign men visiting after pandemic restrictions were lifted. He observed that these visitors come from various countries, including white, Asian, and Black men, but the majority are Chinese.

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According to the report, Many women are turning to sex work to pay off debts, particularly those incurred at host clubs, which have been linked to exploitative practices. Police reports indicate that in 2023, 43 per cent of women arrested for street solicitation admitted they were doing so to settle host club debts. Most of these women were in their twenties, with three being underage.