Japan, however, has a long history of prostitution and a culture that reveres "wisdom" (i.e., sexual experience) over virginity. Japan is also where the sex industry is highly profitable and flourishing in most cultures. Japan's GDP grew by 11% during the last quarter of 2008 alone, while its population decreased by 1%. The sex industry is a highly profitable and flourishing industry in most cultures. Japan is no exception, as this sector generates about $ 22 billion yearly. Even the sex doll culture in Japan has contributed to the emergence of sites like xndoll.com.It was only in 1956 that prostitution became illegal in Japan. This was under an American-led Anti-Prostitution Law or Baishun Bōshi Hō and involved many changes in how sexuality would be treated in Japan. And is that the US occupation government was concerned about its vision of morality and about turning Japan into a modern country without this type of practice. However, this meant turning away from the traditional customs and traditions that had made prostitution relatively natural in Japan in previous centuries. The definition of prostitution given in the law (Anti-Prostitution) referred only and exclusively to intercourse, with which all sexual practices that did not imply intercourse were legal.

The fact that the practice of prostitution in Japan was legal in the past did not make it something without problems. The attitude of the Japanese was to accept their existence outside the city center and in fenced neighborhoods. Thus the "good citizens" did not have to see or know what was happening within those neighborhoods, being able to turn a blind eye. At that time, prostitution was practiced in the so-called pleasure neighborhoods, among which we can highlight Yoshiwara in Edo (now Tokyo), Shimabara in Kyoto, and Shinmachi in Osaka. Although it has been decriminalized in certain sectors, prostitution is still legal in other parts of Japan. In Osaka, for example, it is illegal to practice prostitution in public places but not elsewhere. The country's attitude on the matter clearly shows the different levels of moral perception around this issue.

If the competent authorities detected an unlicensed brothel outside these pleasure neighborhoods, they acted immediately and shut it down. They took all of the employees and forcibly placed them in one of these neighborhoods, where they were then obligated to work for.

But as is seen in all countries, having legal, regulated areas for prostitution doesn't work. It clashes with the strict morals and modern attitude that America has. As always, it encourages the picaresque in that certain sexual behaviors are prohibited or illegal until tolerated. That's why entrepreneurs found ways to take advantage of the law's loose definitions and earn loads of cash from sex. After all, by the newly passed law, "sex" is defined as something that can be highly subjective to interpretation.

Today, the buxom old quarters have been transformed into Red Districts. Although they no longer fall outside the city limits, they occupy more space than ever, thanks to the urban sprawl. On the one hand, these neighborhoods also have hotels, restaurants, and plenty of leisure options unrelated to sex. But behind them, the Japanese Mafia or yakuza control these businesses with an iron grip.

What are the laws on sex trade schemes in Japan? There's a lot of confusion around this, but it's nothing to worry about. Sex work is not illegal in Japan, and there are no restrictions on the kind of trade that you can make. Legalizing these things would reduce human trafficking and violence against sex workers. Interestingly, the definition of prostitution given in this law only refers to intercourse. By extension, all sexual acts not involving intercourse are legal and also don't classify as prostitution. Sex entrepreneurs in Japan then saw an opportunity to create many businesses with great imagination to circumvent the law. Thus, arose the soapland, establishments where customers are covered in lubricant, and prostitutes bring them to orgasm. But with new legislation looming, it's unclear how this industry will evolve. Other sex businesses are erotic massage parlors or pink salons, where only oral sex is practiced. We can also talk about image clubs or imekura, themed brothels where rooms and prostitutes interpret the most recurrent fantasies.