Prostitution in Japan
Ever since humans have been able to exchange goods for services, prostitution has always been a common way for people to make money. That is why they call it the world’s oldest profession. There is no society, country, or culture on Earth that has not had prostitution. Even though many countries and places around the world are extremely religious, prostitution still survives and thrives there just as much as it does in more open in sexually free societies. Japan is a country that has its own prostitution and sex work areas.
Religious views of prostitution
Surprisingly, there are not a lot of religious commands against prostitution over sex in general. The person is a Buddhist, then there are a few restrictions, as a monk has to be chaste. But the Buddha didn’t condemn premarital sex or sex work. It is also fine for people who practice Shintoism to have sex outside of marriage and for money. Generally, Japanese people do have many hangups when it comes to sex. Sex shops are out in the open, and condoms are available in hotels, drug stores, and given away by the school nurse.
Geisha and prostitutes
During World War II, a false rumor spread around the military bases of the western or Allied troops that occupied Japan. These troops were led to believe that geisha were entertainers and also prostitutes. But this is not true. Geisha have never engaged in prostitution. The law does not allow geisha to take money for sex work. The law went into effect over 200 years before World War II.
There have always been prostitutes in Japan. In an effort to be more exotic and attract Western soldiers, these prostitutes decided to dress up as geisha. This is how the rumor that geishas were sex workers started, and it still persists today. But it is extremely rude to solicit a geisha for sex, and many tourists have been kicked out of geisha houses and performances for doing this. BTW: you should read history of geisha.
There are a few laws against prostitution in Japan, and the crime for engaging in prostitution is severe. But it looks as though Japanese society is blatantly ignoring these laws because prostitution is thriving. But the reason for the successful sex work industry in Japan is the loopholes found in anti-prostitution laws. In these laws, It is illegal to directly pay a person for sexual favors. In order to circumvent these laws and not have their prostitutes and clients arrested, many brothels have additional services available like singing, dancing, or conversation with the sex workers for a certain amount of time. So that means the client is technically only paying for the service. If the dancer or singer ends up having sex with the client, no one can be arrested.
Also, Japanese law defines prostitution as the sale of intercourse with a person. A prostitute can offer a blow job or an oiled massage directly to the client, and neither party will be arrested.
Soapland
Since prostitution is defined very specifically, there are ways around the anti-prostitution law that establishments and red light centers have completely embraced. One way is to open a bathhouse where men can pay for girls to wash their bodies with soap in a bath. If a number of these bathhouses open up next to each other, they form a Soapland district. Much like the pleasure centers that existed around major cities during the time of the Samurai and Shoguns, these Soaplands are found throughout Japan. In the west, Soaplands are referred to as Red Light Districts or Centers. The girls who work in Soapland districts are often called “Soapland Girls” and their ages usually range from 18 to 26. While straight intercourse is illegal, brothels and establishments offer sumata.
Sumata
If there was ever way to have sex without actually having sex, then sumata is it. Sumata is a sexual act where a man places his penis between a girl’s thighs and rubs himself back and forth as if he is thrusting. It’s a very popular service and available in most places where a form of sex is sold.
Pink Salons
Unlike a salon that does a woman’s hair and nails, a Pink Salon is for men who wish to purchase oral sex. This type of place does not have individual rooms, and they offer alcohol and food to all of their clients. Technically, a client will rent a girl by the hour, but they usually stay until oral sex is completed.
Debt and Prostitution
Many of the girls and women who work in the sex industry are victims of debt enslavement. Their families rack up huge amounts of debt with a semi-legal lender, and when they cannot pay the loan’s interest or the loan, the lender will take the girl in exchange. The girl is then forced to service clients, and the lender takes most or all of the income they bring in. It is a horrible practice, and Japanese police are having a hard time cracking down on it. Many girls who are suffering from sexual enslavement will not go to the police because they fear that the cops will arrest them.
How Japanese society views prostitution and Soaplands.
Even though Soaplands are located all over Japan, they are not accepted by mainstream society in any way. If a person in a relationship is found visiting soapland establishments, there are regarded as cheaters. Women will divorce their husbands if they find out that they are going to the local Soapland. One of the biggest reasons that Soaplands thrive in Japan despite society’s disdain for them is the Yakuza. Many establishments in Soapland districts are tied to Yakuza. The Japanese police keep their distance away from Yakuza as long as their activities are not violent.
Conclusion
Prostitution thrives in Japan because of the Yakuza and poorly written Japanese laws. Soapland centers can be found in major cities across Japan, and they usually have many bathhouses and love hotels. Geisha have never sold sex as part of their entertainment, but prostitutes once dressed up like geisha to be more appealing to Allied troops.