Japan's Esek-Esek Industry Dilemma Amid The COVID-19 Pandemic

Illustration of a nightlife area in Japan (Photo by Tokyo Luv on Unsplash)

JAKARTA - Since the announcement by Prime Minister (PM) Shinzo Abe, Japan has officially raised the status of its country to become a COVID-19 pandemic emergency. The increase in status immediately shook the business world and the economy in many sectors. No exception to the adult entertainment industry, including commercial sex workers (CSWs).

In this case Japan has long been legalizing the sex business. Even in Tokyo, the district's red-light area is known as Kabukicho, a special location that serves up a variety of adult-oriented nightlife spots.

A variety of bars, nightclubs to embroidery houses can be found in the area. However, along with efforts to maintain distance or physical distancing to avoid transmission of COVID-19. The night workers in the area are starting to find it difficult to make a living.

Quoting NHKworld, to ease the burden on workers affected by COVID-19, the Japanese government has disbursed intensive funds with a nominal amount of up to 108 trillion yen or around Rp. 16,267 trillion (exchange rate of Rp150). This assistance is given in stages to workers and business owners.

Unfortunately, this intensive gift has become a hot topic of conversation in Japan, including those who work in the red-light district. This is because the Japanese government has indirectly forced bars and nightclubs to close during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"It is not clear how freelance workers (PSK) whose income has not been reported to the government can be approved to get a stimulus. Of course I want to register, but it is not clear what the administrative procedures are," said Mika who is a prostitute in the Kabukicho area.

It is inevitable that the establishment of Japan's emergency status due to the COVID-19 pandemic has been a blow to those who rely on income by offering services to others. Not a few bar owners are risking their income to keep opening their business in the midst of this kind of situation.

"We have made sure customers clean their hands and clothes before entering the premises. The process is repeated every time they leave the premises," said Britney Jane, an American citizen in her 20s who lives in Japan and works at an S&M club in Osaka. .

"I actually feel sick most likely when I'm on the train or supermarket," he continued.

This condition is also exacerbated by the fact that Covid-19 cases in Japan have reached 11,135 and claimed 236 victims. Of which 3,090 patients came from Tokyo.

This prompted the Governor of Tokyo, Yuriko Koike to push the central government to set more stringent social restrictions than other densely populated large cities. Including the Kabukicho which is a nightlife area.

In fact, the Japanese government is currently drafting the terms of the planned stimulus package worth 100 thousand yen for each citizen. It's just that the procedure for obtaining aid funds is quite difficult for some people.

The need to present proof of salary and minimum amount of income is a major deterrent for commercial sex workers (CSWs) and nightclub owners in the Kabukicho area, who are often paid illegally.