Chinese sex business [in Japan] hit by SARS scare

Japan Today ^ | May 12, 2003

[DeaconBenjamin]

While China struggles to halt the spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), the virulent disease has yet to spread to Japan. But health experts are in general agreement that it's probably just a matter of time before the first cases are reported among Japanese.

One possible "Trojan Horse" for SARS to gain entry to Japan may be through a tried and true channel of infection: the sex industry. Even though this hasn't happened yet, Shukan Tokuho (May 26) reports that massage parlors and nightclubs employing Chinese ladies are already feeling the pinch.

"From around the middle of March, the number of customers dropped off sharply," says a Mr Liu, manager of a Chinese-style "aesthetic salon" (erotic massage parlor) in the Shinjuku red-light district of Kabukicho.

"Up to February, we always got at least 15 customers even on the slowest days, and cleared 200,000 yen. These days, if we're lucky, we'll get five. That's not even enough for our girls to pay their rent. They're hurting."

"Yeah, business is terrible," confirms a Chinese street tout. "You try saying 'How about a Chinese-style massage?' to a Japanese and he'll turn away with a disgusted expression."

As a result, Chinese-run bars and sex shops already hit by the slumping economy now face total ruin due to the SARS scare. To make matters worse, some Japanese have been engaging in "Chinese hunting," e.g., making trouble in ways that range from spreading intentional rumors about SARS to wrest away customers from Chinese shops to outright physical assaults.

"Chinese working in Kabukicho are scared," a masseuse tells Shukan Tokuho. "A friend of mine was just walking along the street by Shinjuku's ward office when a Japanese walked up and suddenly slugged him. I don't want to be in this kind of country. But I'm scared to return to China now, what with SARS and all."

In their own way, the magazine notes, xenophobia and bigotry can be just as contagious — and every bit as frightening — as this vicious new viral disease that's ravaging China.

[DeaconBenjamin]

One possible "Trojan Horse" for SARS to gain entry to Japan may be through a tried and true channel of infection: the sex industry. Now there's a straight line. ;-)

[struggle]

"Up to February, we always got at least 15 customers even on the slowest days, and cleared 200,000 yen. These days, if we're lucky, we'll get five. That's not even enough for our girls to pay their rent. They're hurting."

The chinese chicks are locked up in their apartments, 4 girls per room, I bet. Then they are taken to a host club that gives kickbacks to the parlor owner.

"Yeah, business is terrible," confirms a Chinese street tout. "You try saying 'How about a Chinese-style massage?' to a Japanese and he'll turn away with a disgusted expression."

How professional sounding. Soaplands, health, and massage parlors are holes in the wall with dirty men trying to call men in. Fuzoku is for losers.