The History of Japan’s Sex Industry (Cultural & Social Perspective)

1. Ancient to Medieval Japan

• Nara & Heian Periods (8th–12th centuries): Women entertainers, often called asobi or yujo, provided music, dance, and sometimes sexual services in courtly and religious contexts.
• Kamakura & Muromachi Periods (12th–16th centuries): Courtesans were active around temples, shrines, and port towns, offering hospitality to travelers and warriors. Their roles combined entertainment, ritual, and sexuality.

2. Early Modern Period (Edo Period, 1603–1868)

• The Establishment of Licensed Quarters: The Tokugawa shogunate restricted prostitution to designated districts (yukaku), the most famous being Yoshiwara in Edo (modern Tokyo).
• Yoshiwara became a hub of Edo culture, inspiring kabuki theater, ukiyo-e prints, and literature.
• Courtesans were ranked in a hierarchy, with the highest-ranking oiran admired for their beauty, education, and artistic talent. They were cultural icons as well as companions.

3. Modernization (Meiji to Pre-War, 1868–1945)

• Meiji Reforms: In 1872, the government issued the Emancipation Edict of Prostitutes, formally abolishing the old system, but in reality, prostitution continued under a regulated licensed prostitution system (kosho seido).
• Western Influence: As Japan opened its ports, red-light districts developed in Yokohama, Kobe, and Nagasaki, catering to both Japanese and foreign clients.
• Wartime: State-controlled “comfort stations” were created during Japan’s wars, leaving behind a controversial legacy.

4. Post-War to High Economic Growth Era

• 1946: The Allied Occupation (GHQ) abolished the licensed prostitution system.
• 1956: The Anti-Prostitution Law officially criminalized prostitution. However, various “gray zone” businesses emerged, offering services that avoided the legal definition of prostitution.
• During the economic boom, nightlife culture flourished, with new forms of entertainment businesses (cabarets, hostess clubs, and later, soaplands) shaping Japan’s urban night economy.

✅ In short, the Japanese sex industry has evolved from ancient entertainers to the licensed quarters of Edo, to modern regulation and post-war prohibition, while continuously influencing Japanese culture, art, and nightlife.