A number of other areas, especially in onsen ("hot springs") towns, also feature soaplands. Well known complexes can be found in Susukino in Sapporo, Yoshiwara and Kabukicho in Tokyo, Kawasaki, Kanazuen in Gifu, Ogoto in Shiga, Fukuhara in Kobe, Sagaminumata in Odawara, and Nakasu in Fukuoka. Ī number of different types of soapland exist, typically located in complexes with varying numbers of soaplands. However, some soaplands have, in previous decades, been prosecuted for violating the Anti-Prostitution Law, having been deemed to be places of prostitution, resulting in the cessation of these businesses. Whilst the massage takes place, the masseuse and the customer become 'acquainted', resulting in any paid sexual services following this as not being viewed as prostitution as defined by the law, an interpretation that has been utilised since the 1960s. In his book 'Fuzoku Eigyo Torishimari' ( Control of Sex Business Operations), Kansai University professor Yoshikazu Nagai documented the practice of soapland businesses, wherein customers pay an entry fee to 'use the bathing facilities', and a separate fee for a massage.
Soaplands exploit a loophole in Japanese law, wherein compensated sexual intercourse may be conducted between 'specified' (acquainted) persons. The term is a " Japanlish" term, constructed from the two English words " soap" and "land". Originally referred to as "toruko-buro", meaning " Turkish bath", the businesses were renamed following a 1984 campaign by Turkish scholar Nusret Sancaklı, with the name "soapland" chosen as the winning entry in a nationwide contest. Soapland ( ソープランド, sōpurando), or sōpu, which first developed following the criminalisation of compensated sexual intercourse with unacquainted persons in the late 1950s, began as a simple bathhouse service where women washed men's bodies. Delivery health businesses do not typically operate out of physical premises, instead employing freelancers, and advertise through handouts sent to mailboxes, posters in telephone booths, public toilets and similar places, usually in large cities within Japan advertising is also conducted through a number of websites online. Delivery health ĭelivery health ( デリバリーヘルス, Deribarii herusu), also known as " shutchō health" ( 出張ヘルス) or by the abbreviation "deriheru" ( デリヘル), is a category of sex work in Japan that offers a " call girl" or escort service, dispatching sex workers to their customers' homes or to hotels. It was especially famous by that name in the 1980s. They commonly post pictures of their " masseuse" employees near the entrance, though the face and eyes may be censored with pixellation or black strips some club entrances feature caricatured depictions of the services provided.Īlso known as "Fashion massage". Fashion health clubs are typically found in most of Japan's larger cities, operating out of physical premises decorated with bright flashing lights and generally bright and garish decor. These businesses typically operate out of physical premises, either with their own employees or freelancers such as call girls, who may operate via Internet dating sites known as deai sites (Internet dating sites) or via delivery health services.įashion health ( ファッションヘルス, fasshon herusu) is a form of massage parlor which circumvents Japanese laws by offering a range of services that stop short of sexual intercourse. These fall into a number of categories known by various euphemistic names, such as soaplands, fashion health shops, and pink salons, with the term "health" commonly being a euphemism for sexual services. However, the definition of prostitution made illegal under this law is strictly limited to sexual intercourse with an 'unspecified person', and does not criminalise the sale of numerous other acts performed by sex workers in exchange for compensation, such as oral sex, anal sex, mammary intercourse and other non-coital sex acts the Businesses Affecting Public Morals Regulation Law of 1948 ( 風俗営業取締法, Fūzoku eigyō torishimari hō), also known as the "Law to Regulate Adult Entertainment Businesses", amended in 1985, 19, regulates these businesses, making only one definition of prostitution in Japan illegal.įollowing the criminalisation of payment for sexual intercourse, the sex industry in Japan has developed into a number of varied businesses and offering services not prohibited under Japanese law.
Prostitution in modern Japan, as defined under Japanese law, is the illegal practice of sexual intercourse with an 'unspecified' (unacquainted) person in exchange for monetary compensation, which was criminalised in 1956 by the introduction of article 3 of the Anti-Prostitution Law ( 売春防止法, Baishun bōshi hō). Description of varying styles of sex work in modern Japan