The day prostitution was banned in Japan
April 1st, exactly 50 years ago, was the day Japan imposed a ban on the centuries old sex trade. I am sure the regular patrons then went like “yea right, an April Fool’s joke by the government”. But the joke was on them alright, no more bunky bunky at the local brothel lest they wanted a night or 2 years with a heavy slap of fines in their faces.
BUT i won’t say that the sex trade has gone stale since then. If anything, ingenuity has brought sex to a whole new level in Japanese culture. Ahem…you guys (and girls) probably know what I mean, eh?
Anyway, read this article from Mainichi:
Exactly 50 years ago today (April 1), Japan’s formal ban on the centuries old act of prostitution came into effect.
The Prostitution Prevention Law outlawed the world’s oldest profession even though it had long been one of Japan’s most lucrative.
But the law was filled with loopholes and even today the sex business remains one of Japan’s biggest industries.
The fight to end prostitution began in earnest following Japan’s defeat in World War II, with newly liberated women Diet members in the vanguard of the fight.
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