As prostitution by Japanese women targeting foreigners increases, Sanae Takaichi, Japan's prime minister, said she would work to eradicate prostitution.
According to Sankei Shimbun and other Japanese media on the 10th, Takaichi said during a question session at the House of Councilors plenary meeting on the 6th, "It is a very serious problem that prostitution of Japanese women by foreign tourists is rampant in Tokyo, including Kabukicho."
Shioumura Fumika, a lawmaker with the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan who posed questions that day, cited foreign news reports and criticized that Japan's international image is being tarnished. Shioumura noted, "Overseas outlets are reporting that 'Japan is a new sex tourism country,' and the image that 'Japan is a country that does not protect the dignity of women' is spreading internationally."
Shioumura also said, "Foreign men perceive Japan as a country where they can engage in prostitution with peace of mind, and there is a distorted structure in which only women who have no choice but to sell sex are arrested," adding, "In addition to violations of women's human rights, if it is regarded as a base for criminal funds, Japan will lose international credibility."
In response, Takaichi said, "We will review how to regulate prostitution, taking into account social conditions," and added, "We must also prevent Tokuryu (特流, an anonymous criminal group operating on social media) from using prostitution as a source of funds." Takaichi continued, "We will push efforts to eradicate prostitution and wipe out Tokuryu."