Tokyo, not Bangkok, is becoming the new center of sex tourism

There is concern about a new trend of sex tourism surrounding the Japanese capital Tokyo. This situation has become more visible with the increase in the number of foreign tourists after the Corona pandemic, along with the country's weak economy, the rising cost of living and the weakness of the yen. Various organizations and rights activists have expressed concern about local young women engaging in sexual activities and the presence of foreign men, especially in Okubo Park in the Kabukicho area of ​​Tokyo.

According to Yoshihide Tanaka, secretary general of the Liaison Council Protecting Youth, an organization working with young people, the presence of foreign men in the area has increased significantly as international travel normalizes after the pandemic. According to him, men from different countries are coming there, and a significant number of Chinese citizens are among them. He also claims that some young women are entering the sex industry to make a living due to economic pressure.

Various risks surrounding the sex trade in the Kabukicho area of ​​Tokyo have also come to the fore. The report says that some women have become involved in this profession to meet the post-Corona financial crisis, debt or host club expenses. Concerned people believe that the promotion of these activities on social media is also creating interest in the area among foreign tourists. Japanese police are also conducting operations to control the situation.

Some Japanese politicians and rights activists do not see the issue as just a law and order or local social problem. According to them, the increased interest in Tokyo's sex trade among foreigners could also have a negative impact on the international presentation of Japanese women. At the same time, the weak yen has made Japan relatively cheaper for foreign tourists, and the number of foreign tourists in the country reached a record high in 2024. As a result, along with the positive effects of the increase in tourism, a new discussion has begun about its dark side.