JAPANESE CO-ED
PROSTITUITION
February 23, 2000
"Japanese Collegiate Women in the Sex Trade"
For starters, I have taken the liberty of translating the Japanese term mizu-shobai to mean "sex industry". The literal translation is "water-trade", but it stands for the variety of legalized prostitution services in Japan, oft run by Japanese yakuza gangsters. Sexual intercourse itself is not legally allowed in these confines, but there is virtually no police interference with the affairs of the yakuza underground, thus resulting in a flourishing market for prostitution. Having said that, this show explores the rationale, mentality and the money behind the decision of Japanese collegiate women entering into this field.
Japan is unique in its' obsession with name brand products and addiction to lavishly expensive products. It is even more striking to note at how early Japanese youth get caught up in such consumer spending. It is not uncommon to see high school students walking around with Gucci, Prada or Burberry products (I was content with Levi's and Doc Martins in my day). Feeding these desires take cash. Working the registers at Makudonaldo (Mickey Ds) for about 700-800 yen an hour won't cut it. There are no tips in Japan, so waitressing is not an attractive option either. For those who want to make a quick yen, there is the option of the Japanese sex industry.
Unlike in the U.S., these businesses are well-kept establishments with relatively solid legal ground. It is not a difficult industry to enter. Many begin by simply pouring drinks and talking it up with customers in snakku and kyabakura establishments. At this level, the money is good. Moving into actual prostitution, the money ranges from good to rediculous. The money increases the more a woman is willing to do. How much money are we talking about? On this show, a couple of the guests claim to make over 1 million yen a month, or roughly $9,000-$10,000.
OK, so the money is good. No, it's great. So life is wonderful and there are no problems. Mmmm, not so fast. First of all, there is a documented history of women who manage to "graduate" from the sex industry at some point in time, and suffer sever emotional trauma as a result of their labor. Being unable to trust men, feeling "cheap" and having a general mistrust of people are common maladies. This is not even to mention the increased danger of sexually transmitted diseases in Japan. These women could be the hotbed of multiple viruses spreading through the population of Japanese youth (the lack of sexual education here is embarrassing for a developed country). We may look back on this generation in 10 or 20 years and blame tens of thousands (or more, knock on wood) of HIV and AIDS related deaths to these services.
Let's not forget that the women we are discussing on this show are college students. They are not women who have no other option in life, or are doing whatever they have to do to support their families. These are bright women with futures in careers of their choosing. They get involved in the sex trade for the money, which many intend to use towards their education and future goals when they begin. However, many of these women get thrown off their course all too often, once caught up in the sex trade. Whereas 3 months may have been a starting goal, it becomes 6 months, then 9 months, and before you know it, many women forego their studies altogether for the draw of making big bucks. It is a cruel industry however, as women who could once manage to sell their bodies at a premium are considered "over-the-hill" at a very young age. You then have a woman in her low 20s, no college degree, no applicable job experience, probably very little money and maybe even debt (increased money often leads to more lavish lifestyles), and to top it off, possibly struggling with emotional and/or other related health problems.
Not all women end off like this, of course. Some women have made brief stints in the sex industry, run off with a load of money, go on to graduate and live a very normal life. However, only truly strong women are capable of this. On an international standard, I do not find Japanese women to be as strong as women of comparable age in other Western or Asian countries. This is due to a variety of societal factors, such as the low standard held for women compared to men. Men are expected to succeed in the business world and bring honor to their family, whereas women are expected to be married and loyal housewives by the age of 25. Women grow up in this environment. It is not fertile ground for independent strength.
So what if I were in their shoes? Well, the money would sure be tempting. But I would take the time to remember that there is more to life than money. There is a thing called self-respect, which is something no one can take away from you. Unless of course, you give it away. It ain't worth it.