Women believed to be waiting for clients in the entertainment district of Kita, Osaka, 2023 (some image processing applied)
The motivations of women who solicit clients for prostitution are becoming increasingly diverse. Whereas debt repayment once predominated, some women today cite the ability to earn money quickly as the primary appeal.
Entertainment districts have introduced various measures to curb street solicitation. However, experts note that lasting solutions will require addressing the underlying circumstances these women face.
Brand Goods, Idols, Cosmetic Surgery
A woman in her 30s arrested by the Osaka Prefectural Police in November 2025 on suspicion of violating the Prostitution Prevention Law described her actions as a response to limited earnings from low-wage work. "The money left over from a convenience store job is barely anything," she reportedly told investigators. "Standing on the street means you can eat crab or yakiniku and even buy luxury brands."
Investigators said another woman explained that she spent all of her earnings on attending live performances to support her favorite idol.
According to investigative sources, women who solicit clients on the street were once most often driven by debt, including unpaid tabs accumulated at host clubs.
More recently, however, their motivations have broadened to include goals such as orthodontic treatment or cosmetic surgery. Some women also say that, compared with working in the sex industry, street solicitation offers greater autonomy in setting prices and selecting clients.
At the same time, the practice is seen as undermining public safety. It has also damaged the image of surrounding neighborhoods, prompting authorities in entertainment districts across Japan to strengthen enforcement and preventive measures.
Yellow Roads Reduce Solicitation
In December 2024, a road in Osaka's Kita hotel district, long known as a spot for street solicitation, was repainted bright yellow. The measure was intended to deter loitering by making individuals more conspicuous.
According to an Osaka Prefectural Police survey, the number of women waiting for clients there, which had previously reached up to 17 per day, fell to a maximum of four after the repainting.
Similar issues have also been reported around Okubo Park in Tokyo's Kabukicho district. There, the Metropolitan Police Department has stepped up patrols and enforcement in recent years, resulting in the apprehension of 75 women in the first half of 2025 alone.
Limits of Enforcement
While these measures have produced some results, their effectiveness is inherently limited. Investigative sources say women share information on social media about the appearance of plainclothes officers, leaving the area when they believe police are present, and returning later. Some also resume the same activities even after being apprehended.
Arata Sakamoto, head of the Tokyo-based nonprofit Rescue Hub, which supports women in Kabukicho, says the motivations and circumstances of women involved in prostitution have become increasingly diverse and complex.
Many face family difficulties, and a considerable number have developmental disabilities. Some turn to prostitution in search of emotional stability or a sense of acceptance. Even when exposed to danger, Sakamoto notes, some women resign themselves to harm, driven by feelings of low self-worth.
"Each person's worries and circumstances are different," Sakamoto said, stressing the need for sustained engagement tailored to individual situations. He added that closer coordination among administrative authorities, police, and private organizations is essential to providing more comprehensive support.
Linking Enforcement to Welfare
Police are also seeking to address the underlying factors that lead women into prostitution. Those who are apprehended are referred to welfare offices and municipal service counters, where they can access employment assistance, housing consultations, and other support services.
According to the Osaka Prefectural Police, there have been cases in which women experiencing severe financial hardship stopped engaging in prostitution and rebuilt their lives with the help of public assistance. A senior police official warned that street solicitation carries the risk of escalating into violence or sexual crimes, underscoring the need for responses that extend beyond enforcement to include broader, multi-faceted solutions.
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(Read the article in Japanese.)
Author: Mai Yasuda, The Sankei Shimbun
