Enjo Kosai (or teenage prostitution)

[Maciamo]

This is one of the numerous WaiWai stories of the Mainichi Shimbun. It's about teenage prostitution ("enjo kosai") and pedophilia in Japan. The title is Japan jerking off over
pseudo pedo-porno :


http://mdn.mainichi.co.jp/waiwai/index.html


Those of you who have been to Japan will have seen loads of porn magazines features quite young girls in every combini )convenience store). The most amazing is that males of all ages (from teenagers to ojisan) read them without any complex in front of everybody. In video shops, you can find sex videos besides the latest hollywood productions, even next to children oriented movies like "Stuart Little" or "Shrek".

The "enjo kosai" (lit. : renumerated date) isn't really prostitution like we usually understand it. A middle age man (about 40-50years old) will date a girl young enough to be his daughter. The usually get to know each others via "terekura" (telephone club, that is a kind of pink phone, very popular among teens girls to make some pocket money). They might go to the restaurant and have a chat, or go to the cinema, or to the hotel (and I let you imagine after). All girls don't have sex with their "dana" (sponsor, literallly : master or husband, as it is the same word in Japanese). The always get money from them in exchange of their company. The also get presents from them (sometimes very expensive). Lot's of these men like girl in school uniform. They often require them to wear it, even if it's the holiday or a week-end. With the long falling white socks of course, a pure Japanese fantasm. These socks are forbidden at schools but girls wear them because they know it's sexy (and old dirty men with money will have a look at them). Girls who actually sell their body are more numerous than we would expect. Some surveys (check the other waiwai stories on the Mainichi online) say as much as 10% of girls between 15 and 25 do it. They can get 30000yen for a "uri" (lit. : sale, which is of their body), in less than an hour; much better than a student job at Macdo that only makes 800yen/h. That explains how they afford their Louis Vuiton and Chanel bags, clothes by Gucci and Versace or even a Bulgari watch at 2 millions yen. But there are so many of them in Ginza that just seem to have all their time for shopping and no work to care about. What's the point of all this ?

[Maciamo]

Check this as well : http://mdn.mainichi.co.jp/waiwai/0207/020718teens.html

Kids are ashame of sex. Prepubescent are wearing sexy clothes and underwears, putting on make up and participate to telephone dating club because they want to try sex (and make money). That's a sick world (or is this the future ?).

[thomas]

The following article claims that at least they feel no guilt about it.


Teen girls linked to paid sex feel no guilt, police survey shows

=> http://www.japantoday.com/e/?content...at=1&id=223617

[moyashi]

Why should you feel guilty for getting money for getting laid?
Would I? .... hmmm ...

I'm much more interested in how they feel emotionally and rationally about doing it with somebody that could easy be their father or ... grandfather.

You hear stories all the time of fathers bumping into their daughters or daughter's friends. Well, I've wondered about the legitability of those stories though.

Well, I do know teachers that have said they've met their graduate students in soap lands. hmmm ... I didn't hear if they did it with them though.

I have had students who dated guys older than me and some even got allowances from them. About $300 a month, not much but enough to have fun with their friends.

Let's not forget the used clothes that are bought on the streets. Still warm is the preference it seems.

Of course, not all girls have this experience and also this type of thing normally stays to the big cities.


Well ... things happen I guess.

[Maciamo]

I know there is no shame or guilt about it in Japan. The reason is : they don't have "our" Judeo-Christian morals (eventhough I am an atheist, the society's moral rules influence us since the craddle). So no shame about sex and like other Asian countries, "prostitution" is part of the daily life. In Japan, there are only laws about sex to give an honorable facade internationally and to avoid to disturb public order, from what I have understood (no deep conscience or rigid moral). If it works like this it's might be good, but I am affraid of the spread of diseases like AIDS. Japanese people (especially young girls) seem sometimes so naives and childish they don't even care about using condoms. What's more, it's common knowledge in Japan that only foreigners have AIDS and that Japanese are kind of immune from it. That is very scary when you know that they usually don't take HIV test for they fear to be positive ! Who reallly knows how many people have AIDS now in Japan.

[thomas]

It seems to be true that "sexual restrictions" have been imposed upon Japanese society mostly by external influences: during Meiji Era (in Japan's bid for westernization) as well as in the postwar period: prostitution was outlawed in 1958, so most of the famous red-light districts had to close down, also in the light of the Olympics that were to be held in Tokyo in 1964. Well, "officially" outlawed...

I wouldn't restrict sexual naivity or negligence to girls only. Just think of the hordes of salarymen invading SE Asian countries in search of sexual pleasures. A large amount of Japanese HIV-positive contracted the disease during such holidays.

[deborah gormley]

Young girls should be more careful,
This age that we live in is dangerous and at times the young adults are totally oblivious to these nasty sexual deseases, I dont agree with young girls allowing themselves to used and paid for sex, its almost unbelieveable, although I am aware of these actions I would only advise these girls too take all precautions and ensure their safety, its a sad reality and a sad way of live

[moyashi]

These girls aren't being used actually. The girls doing Enjo-kousai are doing it as if it's a part time job. There's no pimp, no daddy pushing them. Some might be persuded by peer pressure as in the "money is really good and easy". It's pretty much self owned business.

Sexual education in schools is close to nil. Most young boys buy magazines and learn from there. Technique and what not. Major magazine would be [sukora-] (scholar).

I'd say that most girls are much more up on using condomes than the boys. I've met quite a few girls who carried their own supply. But it's the boys who prefer it raw than rubbered and some girls bend to that kind of pressure.

I agree with Thomas, it's the business men who went to SE Asia on sex trips that brought a lot of this back to Japan. The men catch it, spread it to their girl friends and wives who spread it to their boyfriends.

Maciamo is right. I have 1 Japanese friend who has taken the test, the rest of the group laughs about it when they're sick.

The boys school I work at during their school festival noramlly run a special exhibit about STD's but that room is always empty.

[deborah gormley]

yes moyashi your quite right, even here the sexual education classes are always empty, our local surgery has education on these topics and they have specified "no appiontment nessary" ect and the young adult birthrate here is astonishing, its sad and almost unreal,,,, but it happens!! I personaly know of a young girl of the tender age of 14,(which is not usually the case) who for some time has been a product of this so called "young evaluation" and has been the target of all "needy men" in a 5 mile radious, (due to the fact thats there's not many young girls willing to sell themselves for an accasional meal or a pass time) but this particular girl has fallen pregnant to a man who's identidy is some where in the region of 50-1 which is totally crazy, and this is the sad bit!! no precations at any given time due to peer presure and the innocents or the stupidy of the girl!! sad sad sad!!!!

[thomas]

The same problem from a hygienical perspective.

Efforts failing to keep Roppongi girls clean

=> http://www.japantoday.com/e/?content...92&display=all

[Maciamo]

I found this very good remark in the comments on the links :

In the land of the rising vending machine it's supprising that you don't see them dispensing condoms.

Well, it doesn't make money to gov. officials through amakudari and bribes from condom companies, so it's highly unlikely that the government will ever take the step. Asahi, Kirin, Suntory and other drink companies take the initiative themself, but I understand that condom companies be more reluctant as few people (in Roppongi) use them anyway - and love hotels always provide them. Oddly enough, among this plethora of vending machines, you can only find drinks, never food (chocolates, yoghurts, waffles, chips...) like in Europe. Not a single of them ! Isn't it weird ? They sell used girl "panties" in jidouhanbaiki, but not condoms, nor food.

[samuraitora]

One thing that is nice about the states is that we supply condoms in high schools and have required Sex Ed classes. Our STD rate is dropping because of this. Almost every bar and night club sells condoms in the bathrooms and everyone in the US can list at least 5 STDs.

About getting paid for sex, most people look at sex as something that is sacred and should only be shared with the one you "love". That is the Christian belief coming out of us. Look at the animals, Sex is an activity for procreation only. There are few animals that have sex for reasons other than to procreate. People attach too much emotion to sex. Some people I know have the thought that sex is just an activity, like football or going to the movies. For this reason, they have sex with their friends. Something they can share to bring them closer together and have some fun, RESPOSIBLY. They are not hurting or cheating on anyone. Just out to have a good time.

Getting paid for sex can fall under the same idea. It can be demoralizing, if the person lets it. It can also be extremely fun and profitable if your careful.

*just playing devils advocate.

[moyashi]

I've seen 1 condome selling vending machine in a total of 10 years. It was located in a residental neighborhood too!!! lol ... no wonder the birthrate is now 1.3

I've also seen pantyhose (not used) vending machines. Haven't figured out the use for it but my ex-girlfriend said that such machines are useful if you spend the night with your boyfirend.

Japan normally doesn't give out the pill either. Health risks and blah blah blah. Although, I know you can get the pill to delay your period for that special vacation. Recently, however getting the pill is getting slightly easier.

The funny thing is that abortion is used in place of condomes or other devices. An abortion runs about $800. Girls that work in the pink (errr "red") district go to abortion clinics that are about a 5 minute walk from their SoapLand. Hey, it's a better business than prescribing pills.

[samuraitora]

as high of respect that I have for the Japanese, this is a little unnerving.

[moyashi]

Tell me about it. But I guess that any culture has their strange side to it. Japan just has lots of strange sides that take time to get used to.

[thomas]

@ condoms

I always thought that Japanese use condoms more frequently than people in other industrialized countries (also due to the fact that the pill was more or less unavailable until 2 or 3 yrs ago)

@ abortion

I am very very far from being a religious zealot, but it's indeed unnerving to see abortion taken "so easily"

@ pill

In March 1998, decades of campaigning by Japanese reproductive rights advocates once more met with defeat, as the Japanese Ministry of Health and Welfare elected to delay indefinitely the licensing of the pill for use as a contraceptive in Japan. Over the years, through several failed attempts at changing this situation, health officials have cited numerous reasons for their position on the pill--among them concern over side effects, fears about the potential spread of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) if pill use replaces condom use and, most recently, worries about the environmental effects of hormonal contraceptive use. In the end, though, Japan remains unique in banning one of the most widely used contraceptive methods in the world--as well as all other hormonal contraceptives.

Source: http://www.agi-usa.org/pubs/journals/3104499.html

Meanwhile the pill is no longer banned, but still not very common. Considering the fact that the number of women in Japan suffering from endomitriosis is higher than in other countries, the pill should be prescribed more often (lol, haven't studied medicine, just read about that issue).

Related article:

Japan OK's Pill, Cautiously

=> http://www.wired.com/news/topstories...,21576,00.html

[Maciamo]

everyone in the US can list at least 5 STDs.

Wow, maybe they can list more STDs than cities in Japan. I wonder what percentage of the US population knows who is vice-president. I heard there were still American people who thought New York was their capital.
Sorry, don't take it personally, but it's a bit hard to believe that the average American people can name 5 STDs (especially with the odd name they have).

[Maciamo]

About getting paid for sex, most people look at sex as something that is sacred and should only be shared with the one you "love". That is the Christian belief coming out of us. Look at the animals, Sex is an activity for procreation only. There are few animals that have sex for reasons other than to procreate.

Japanese people ain't Christian (and me neither). Japan has no such taboo about sex. To understand Japanese (or East-Asian) people, you should understand that life is 3 things that can all be obtained by money : eating, drinking, having sex. Contrarily to the US were religious priniciples make the law (it vaguely reminds me of some countries in the Middle East), Japanese law aim to kee the social order and conform themself to international "values". Prostitution has been officially made illegal in Japan because of interational pressure and to suit the image of modern and developed country. In Edo-jidai, prostitution had been restricted to some districts to avoid disturbing the social order (not for moral or religious reasons).

[moyashi]

@ condoms
Their usage last as long as the woman can say "no" to unprotected sex. Hmmm, 2 -3 times?

@ STDS
I bet most Japanese can only name those that they've had. Men that is. Most women probably don't know they're infected for a while.

@ abortion
Yeah, it really is weird. Well, it's that or marriage. If you're a lady of the night that would severly cut into your income.

@ yoshiwara
Like most things in Japan, things change but the essence stays the same. Up here in Susukino the area survies as does well. I've heard that men wait up to an hour to get their soap bath ;)

@ Kabuki
Kabuki has it's foundations in women selling their wares on the edge of town. Although, the Tokugawa government prosecuted enough that Kabuki emerged.

[thomas]

I'm wondering if teenage prostitution also such a hot topic in J-media...


Schoolgirl prostitution gets fresh facelift

=> http://mdn.mainichi.co.jp/waiwai/0209/020904enko.html

[deborah gormley]

If this is the "new way" of school girl life, then surely all nessasary precautions should be taken, threw schools, surgerys and even at home, it should be preached and not taught to keep your self safe and free from STD's and unwanted pregnancys, these starry eyed school girls who are easily pleased(and cost efficient)should be taken aside and given condoms,pills and not to forget a lesson on infectious and dangerous laisons, I cant help but feel sorry for these girls, as the have given up there innocents and there self respect all for peices of clothing that no matter how expensive it is or how pretty they look, the clothing cant cover up their deeds,or their way of life its so dishearting!!

[moyashi]

"sometimes, I really feel like punching them out"
"you fell like reminding them who is paying for the session!"

Great lines.

Now, of course, not all girls do this but it's not an urband legend either.

wow, $50 bucks ... now that's economics for you.

Funny thing is that very few ever get caught ...

[deborah gormley]

but their parents must notice a change in them moyashi???

new clothes that the parents simply cant afford or did not purchase!! they must know somethings wrong I'm sure that the lines "my friend gave then too me!" does not work??/

parents sayings "once you earn your own money then you can spend it on these high priced clothes, drink it smoke it ect" I was a young girl once with these very words, and I worked in a fast food take-away at the age of 14 just to get these items, but selling my-self was never an option, it was never even in my head!! what has happened to the youth???

[moyashi]

ugh, I totally ageree. Selling, yourself under the age of 20 is just stupidity.
Most parents would die if they knew the truth. Problem is that they don't have the brains to ask.

Maybe, it's pure economics. A quicky for $100 or work for 18 hours or so.

ughhh

[deborah gormley]

yes I see the attraction,, but now at these tender ages, selling them-selves for items of stature, whats next? I would not like to see one of these girls in 10-15 years time, when all their priorities are much different and they might become (in my opinion) more needy and more reliaint on quick cash, that scares me!, but I suppose if its clothes and fashion items they are spending this quick cash on, they really are not that bad, its when drugs ect are the focus, thats when its a real problem!