Schoolgirl Prostitution in Japan

Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION

CHAPTER 1.

What Is Enjo-kōsai?

How Has Enjo-kōsai been translated into English?

When Did Enjo-kōsai become an Issue?

Is Enjo-kōsai a Social/Moral or a Health Issue?

1) Enjo-kōsai as a Social/Moral Issue

2) Enjo-kōsai as a Health Issue’

Prevalence of Enjo-kōsai

Data on Enjo-kōsai

Who Has Commented on Enjo-kōsai?

Policy Responses to Enjo-kōsai

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE

Effects of Pornography

ADULTS

1. Addiction

2. Escalation

3. Desensitization

4. Acting Out Sexually

CHILDREN

CHAPTER FOUR

Women’s Role in Japanese Society

CHAPTER 5

The Role of the Internet and Mobile Telephones

THE MASS MEDIA

CONCLUSION

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Research Objectives & Key Themes

This dissertation examines the phenomenon of enjo-kōsai (compensated dating) in Japan, investigating the underlying causes, such as economic shifts and social pressures, and analyzing the complex interplay between media influence, education, and child exploitation.

• The impact of economic changes and consumerist culture on adolescent behavior.
• The role of the Internet and mobile telecommunications in facilitating exploitative encounters.
• The relationship between the prevalence of pornography and societal desensitization.
• The evaluation of government and public policy responses to juvenile prostitution.
• The influence of evolving gender roles and social inequalities in Japanese society.

Excerpt from the Book

Summary of Chapters

INTRODUCTION: Provides an overview of the phenomenon of enjo-kōsai as a form of teenage prostitution in Japan, setting the stage for an analysis of the societal factors that warrant public concern.

CHAPTER 1: Defines the phenomenon of enjo-kōsai, discusses its translation into English, and explores its classification as both a social/moral and health issue, while examining prevalence and policy responses.

CHAPTER TWO: Analyzes the social, moral, and medical costs of enjo-kōsai, highlighting the correlation between the collapse of the bubble economy, rising unemployment, and increasing juvenile crime rates.

CHAPTER THREE: Examines the effects of pornography in Japan, arguing that its widespread availability and graphic nature have desensitized the public and influenced deviant behavior in both adults and minors.

CHAPTER FOUR: Discusses the role of women in Japanese society, exploring how historical and structural discrimination contributes to the societal environment that allows compensated dating to persist.

CHAPTER 5: Analyzes extrinsic factors, specifically the rise of the Internet, mobile telephones, and the influence of mass media in sensationalizing and facilitating the practice of enjo-kōsai.

CONCLUSION: Summarizes the findings, reflecting on the government's slow response and the ongoing challenge of addressing the deep-seated societal issues that continue to facilitate the exploitation of young girls.

Keywords

enjo-kōsai, compensated dating, teenage prostitution, Japan, pornography, sexual exploitation, bubble economy, mobile technology, social values, juvenile crime, consumerism, gender roles, health issues, HIV/AIDS, STI

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the primary focus of this dissertation?

The dissertation investigates the phenomenon of enjo-kōsai (compensated dating) in Japan, exploring why it became a significant issue in the 1990s and analyzing the complex factors that sustain it.

What are the central thematic fields?

The work covers sociology, education, economics, media studies, and criminology, specifically looking at how these fields intersect in the context of child exploitation and teenage prostitution in Japan.

What is the main research objective?

The author aims to answer why enjo-kōsai is a matter of urgent public concern, illustrating the severe social and medical consequences of sex between adult males and adolescent girls.

Which research methodology is applied?

Due to the difficulty of conducting direct fieldwork on sensitive illegal activities, the research is primarily based on a literature review, analysis of secondary data, government statistics, and existing surveys.

What is addressed in the main body?

The body covers the definition of the term, the economic and social environment after the collapse of the bubble economy, the influence of pornography and media, and the specific impact of technology like mobile phones.

Which keywords characterize this work?

Key terms include enjo-kōsai, compensated dating, teenage prostitution, sexual exploitation, social desensitization, and Japanese consumer culture.

How has the collapse of the "bubble economy" influenced the phenomenon?

The author argues that the economic downturn reduced family income and resources for teenagers, while creating a context of uncertainty where prostitution became a way for young girls to maintain their social standing.

What role does mobile technology play in the practice?

Mobile phones and the Internet have made it easier and more discreet for adult males to solicit minors, largely replacing earlier "telephone clubs" and providing a platform that is difficult for authorities to regulate.