There is a major topic making headlines in Japan right now: the human trafficking issue involving adult entertainment scout groups.
In Japan, it is common for women working in the adult entertainment industry to be recruited through scouts. These scouts introduce women to establishments, and in return, the establishments pay the scouts a percentage of the women’s earnings.
This system has been tacitly accepted for decades. However, in recent times, this practice has come under scrutiny in the Japanese Parliament, being classified as a potential form of human trafficking.
Tracing the Root of the Problem
The issue stems from a common scenario: ordinary girls start frequenting host clubs, where they are burdened with massive debts. To repay these debts, they are often coerced by their hosts into working in the adult entertainment industry through scouts. This exploitative cycle has become a significant social issue in Japan.
Once these girls begin working in the adult industry, their earnings are often entirely monitored by their hosts and subsequently spent in full at the host clubs. This creates a vicious cycle, leading many women to file complaints with the authorities.
Although the police have imposed various regulations on host clubs, the problem has persisted. As a result, the focus has shifted to targeting the scouts.
In Japan, numerous adult entertainment scouts operate, ranging from large organizations to individuals. Recently, a massive adult entertainment scouting group was arrested. This group had reportedly received 7 billion yen in commissions from 350 establishments across the country.
Moving forward, laws are expected to change, and establishments that continue to work with scouts will likely face crackdowns. This could lead to a shortage of workers in the industry, resulting in more closures—whether due to lack of staff or legal action.
As a consequence, women who lose their jobs in these establishments might turn to streetwalking, potentially increasing illegal prostitution.
For those visiting adult entertainment establishments as customers, there’s no need to worry—this is entirely legal. However, engaging with streetwalkers or participating in illegal prostitution is dangerous and absolutely something to avoid. Stay safe!