Sex Tourism: A Match Through Japan's Romance Dori (Street)

Abstract

This article conveys the reality that Japan constitutes a sex tourist destination. Research method involved participant observation and interviews with sex tourists. Findings suggest, on one hand, that the sex industry continues to grow, irrespective of whether there is an economic recession and, on the other hand, that the younger the sex worker, the higher sex tourists are willing to pay for his/her services. This article advocates no ethical condemnation of the “sexatainment” industry in Japan and, as such, maintains a morally neutral stance. It recognizes societal ambivalent regard of sex business; it does however attempt to provoke awareness that although this trade, which is as old as mankind although considered by many as the dark side of tourism, in Japan, as in other countries; it certainly contributes to general economic gain. This benefit spreads across a broad spectrum of the economy; from transportation to manufacturing and other industrial sectors. It is also felt even in schools of higher learning.