日本庞大的性产业估计每年价值在2万亿至5万亿日元（120亿至310亿美元）之间，并深深植根于男性的社交文化中。2022年的一项研究强调了这一趋势，显示48%的日本男性曾为性服务付过钱，而英国这一比例仅为11%。

由于一名12岁女孩被拐卖以及外国游客利用日元贬值寻找性工作者等问题，公众压力和法律审查正在上升。这些争议以及显眼的街头招嫖，已促使首相下令对执法手段进行审查。

尽管一些倡导者建议采用北欧模式或完全合法化，但司法部仍将重点狭隘地放在整顿街头卖淫上以恢复公共秩序。分析人士指出，针对街头招嫖是国家成本最低、可见度最高的执法选择。

Japan's sprawling sex industry is estimated to be worth between ¥2trn and ¥5trn ($12bn-31bn) annually, and it is deeply embedded in male social culture. A 2022 study highlighted this trend, showing that 48% of Japanese men have paid for sex compared to just 11% in Britain.

Public pressure and legal scrutiny are rising due to issues like the trafficking of a 12-year-old girl and foreign tourists exploiting cheap yen to seek sex workers. These controversies, alongside visible street solicitation, have prompted the prime minister to order a review of policing practices.

While some advocates suggest adopting the Nordic model or full legalization, the justice ministry remains narrowly focused on policing street prostitution to restore public order. Analysts note that targeting street solicitation is the lowest-cost, highest-visibility enforcement option for the state.

Source: Sex tourists fuel outrage about vice in Japa

Subtitle: The debates do not have women’s interests at heart

Dateline: June 4th 2026