With the enactment of the Anti-Prostitution law in 1956, the old system of prostitution in Japan came to an end, and alternative forms of sex work began to develop. Due to the law's narrow definition of prostitution, the new forms of sex work started offering different types of sexual services instead. This thesis focused on examining the historical circumstances that led to the passage of the law and its consequences today. Furthermore, researching how the alternative forms of prostitution that emerged after the passage, and how they function in practice was also important. Particular attention was given to the fact that Japanese society generally accepts and patronizes these alternative forms of prostitution, with some viewing them as a necessary evil, despite the serious issues of exploitation and human trafficking that continue to accompany the modern sex industry. The research was motivated by the observation that many people now visit Japan specifically to patronize such establishments, contributing to the growth of sex tourism in the country. Through my analysis, I found in which way these alternative forms of prostitution circumvent the law and that, due to social and cultural tolerance, prostitution in Japan continues to exist within a legal grey zone. This situation increases the risk of human trafficking and exploitation.
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