Spread of Prostitution in Japan, Growing Earthquake Fears… Deepening Societal Senescence

Recently, the 'tachibo' phenomenon, where young women wait on the streets for sex work, has rapidly increased in major urban areas like Tokyo's Shinjuku and Osaka's Dotonbori. 'Tachibo' means standing and waiting for customers. Unlike past forms where women were affiliated with entertainment establishments, there is a growing trend of individuals engaging in it directly to earn a living.

Professor Hosaka Yuji noted, "It has become common to see this in Japan's entertainment districts. There are young women who think they can earn money easily and quickly. This can be seen as one example showing the dark side of current Japanese society."

Many women who enter prostitution are young women who have migrated from rural areas to large cities like Tokyo or Osaka. They begin frequenting host clubs due to economic hardship. Host clubs initially offer services without charge, then lure women in by later demanding enormous sums in outstanding debt.

Professor Hosaka Yuji explained, "Young women who move from the provinces to places like Tokyo and Osaka have no connections. The number of women frequenting host clubs is increasing. They are often served well without upfront payment, only to later face massive debts." He emphasized that this system is a major factor pushing women who cannot pay into street prostitution.

The Japanese government is officially announcing the possibility of a Nankai Trough mega-earthquake, warning its citizens. This earthquake has a very high probability of occurring in cycles of 100-150 years, and if it happens, a tsunami up to 30 meters high is expected to accompany it.

Professor Hosaka Yuji stated, "The Japanese mega-earthquake, we don't know when it will come, but it will definitely come. This is the current official stance and announcement from the Japanese government." He added that official damage estimates predict approximately 200,000 to 230,000 fatalities.

The possibility of another Tokyo inland earthquake, similar to the 1923 Great Kanto Earthquake, is continuously being raised. There are growing concerns that such a major earthquake could paralyze Tokyo's administrative functions, leading to a nationwide crisis.

Professor Hosaka Yuji mentioned, "The possibility of another Tokyo inland earthquake has been consistently discussed. There have been ongoing discussions about the need for a second capital to replace Tokyo's administrative functions." He stated that the necessity of fostering alternative cities like Osaka and promoting legislation for administrative decentralization is being debated.

Japan has entered a super-aging society, with over 65s accounting for nearly 30% of the total population, and this is expected to exceed 30% for those over 75 within 10 years. This demographic aging leads to a general weakening of society, making it difficult to respond quickly to disasters or build new infrastructure.

Professor Hosaka Yuji stated, "About 30% of the population is over 65, and in 10 years, over 30% will be over 75. Thus, it has become a society where moving quickly is not so easy. The entire Japanese society has become senescent." He emphasized that this phenomenon has significant implications for Korean society as well.

While public anti-Korean sentiment in Japan has largely diminished compared to the past, biased views from extreme right-wing forces still exist. They tend to continuously disparage neighboring countries like Korea and China to uphold their belief that 'Japan is the best country in Asia.'

Professor Hosaka Yuji pointed out, "The anti-Korean sentiment that once existed in Japan has largely disappeared. However, the fundamental belief of those forces is that Japan is the best country in Asia. They feel the need to constantly disparage countries like Korea and China." He revealed that irrational anti-Korean logic is still inherent in Japanese society.