In a Japanese host club, she believed she had discovered love. However, the expenses spiraled out of control, and she was forced into the sex industry.
One chilly January night last year, Yu had a conversation over champagne - the beginning of many interactions that would eventually lead her to develop strong feelings for the person she was engaging with.
Yu, a 41-year-old medical professional who was a divorced mother of two, spent all her free time hanging out with him at a bar situated in the popular red-light area of Tokyo, recklessly spending vast sums of money on overpriced alcohol.
In exchange, he lavished Yu with his time and small gifts, even celebrating her birthday with her and claiming to buy her a ring.
"He said, 'You're my girlfriend,'" Yu, speaking anonymously to safeguard her privacy, revealed to CNN. "I believed him."
The host, attractive and in his twenties, encouraged Yu to run up a bar tab that quickly spiraled out of control.
When Yu's funds ran dry, he claimed he would pay off the huge 25 million yen (approximately $165,000) debt, but now she was expected to repay him through sex work.
Yu is among the many women who were pressured into selling their bodies after interacting with Japan's "host clubs," shared experts with CNN.
There are more than 300 of these establishments across Tokyo's illuminated Kabukicho district, providing male companionship to socially rejected women.
While not all hosts exploit their female clients, it's believed that some clubs are associated with organized crime, while supporters maintain that the lack of regulation in the sector has allowed mistreatment to flourish.
Current laws permit individuals over the age of 18 to access these establishments, and attempts to strengthen security have thus far been unsuccessful.
As the pandemic restrictions were lifted in 2023, incidences of severe debt, exploitation, and sex trafficking surged, according to campaigners, with numerous women flocking to host clubs following several years of hardships and seclusion.
In 2022, Tokyo Police arrested around 140 individuals for suspected prostitution in Kabukicho, according to NHK - triple the number from the previous year. Among those arrested, 40% disclosed to police that they were enlisting in sexual activities to repay debts incurred at host clubs, NHK reported.
To respond to the rising cases, authorities established helplines for victims and detained hosts for allegedly compelling indebted clients into sex work.
In December, Tokyo Police conducted inspections on 176 host clubs in Kabukicho, NHK shared - uncovering regulatory violations in three-quarters of the venues, mostly for failing to clearly display the pricing of drinks and for hiding menus.
"It's a romance scam, essentially," said Ayaka Shiomura, a Japanese upper house representative who's unsuccessfully advocated for better host club protection laws.
"Some of these women are conditioned into believing they're dating these hosts. A vicious, dangerous cycle ensues."
The Cost of Affection
For countless victims, this cycle begins on the internet, particularly via social media platforms - where hosts have cultivated their fanbase following pandemic restrictions forcing the clubs' closure.
Mikami Rui, a 28-year-old host with ten years of experience, revealed how the industry had gained visibility through social media sites such as Instagram, TikTok, and X. Hosts are now "actively trying to become more visible," he stated.
Despite previously pushing vulnerable young women into immense spending, he now claims to entertain women even if they can't afford to pay for it.
Money is acquired through these platforms, where hosts communicate with potential customers, flirt with them to invite them to his club. Often, hosts focus on vulnerable young women, exhausting their savings and then pressuring them into sex work to clear their bar debts, shared Hidemori Gen, a Tokyo-based counselor who assists those battered by sexual or gang violence.
Yu grew familiar with the host through his YouTube videos before visiting his club - and these branches laid the ground for the unbalanced relationship based on false promises.
After that first encounter, he reached out contacting her again, prompting her to visit the club again. Soon, he was lavishing her with his time spent dining and smoking hookah, and showering her with preference "over other women." He spoke of visiting destinations like Disneyland or Okinawa.
This sense of unique treatment is why women - some as young as 18 - usually genuinely perceive the hosts as their partners, observers, like national assembly member Shiomura, have observed.
Hosts might engage in sexual activity with their customers "early on," using phrases like "I love you" and "let's get married" a couple might, some even attending their parent's gatherings.
Throughout this period, Yu amassed increasingly exorbitant bills which she could not afford.
Host clubs are known to provide discounts for newcomers, enticing them with low-priced beverages before ramping up the prices once they're captivated - and it's how these debts can spiral out of control. Some bottles of alcohol may cost as much as $6,000.
A guy asked me, "How are you going to return my favor?" and when I responded that I didn't know, he suggested I go overseas to work in the sex trade. Desperate and financially drained, I had no other choice.
He promised I could make approx. 8 million yen ($53,000) monthly, which seemed enticing.
I started working as a prostitute in Japan and territories like Macao and Hong Kong. Due to the circumstances, it seemed inevitable.
Finding Aid
If you or someone you know is dealing with suicidal thoughts or mental health issues, here are some resources:
In the US: Call or text 988, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.Globally: The International Association for Suicide Prevention and Befrienders Worldwide provide information about crisis centers worldwide.
My work shifts were 10+ hours. There'd be a show every hour and I'd be chosen by clients who would subsequently buy me. This upset me greatly as I observed about 100 girls, including myself, being bought.
As my body became drained and I felt weak, the idea of death seemed more appealing. I frequently contemplated these thoughts.
I felt guilty and furious at myself and didn't disclose my situation to friends or family.
Shiomura, a politician, explained that even though exploited, many women consider hosts as their partners and strive to support them.
"This signifies the deep-rooted manipulation," she stated.
Lack of Rules, No Relief
Gen, who manages the counseling service for abuse victims, reported an increase in cases like mine in just a year.
He noted that when pandemic-related restrictions eased and masks were discarded last spring, there were numerous consultations concerning host clubs.
Laws have yet to keep pace with the escalating problem, thus allowing shady host clubs to continue their harmful practices.
Shiomura presented a proposal in parliament last year demanding government investigations, public awareness campaigns, counseling services, and employment help for victims. Unfortunately, it was dismissed by the ruling party, with critics arguing that female customers carry responsibility for visiting host clubs and frivolously spending money.
As a result, it's effectively left up to hosts and host clubs to self-regulate, something a few have pledged to accomplish since April. They're aspiring to deny entry to women who are under the legal age of 20 and hinder customers from running up gargantuan debts.
Rui, a host, embraced this move, recommending that those clubs disregarding the guidelines be shut down.
However, there are countless other clubs across the country that haven't made this commitment. Furthermore, Tokyo clubs' adherence to the guidelines has been called into question by Shiomura, and if the situation persists, she's prepared to resubmit the rejected bill for reconsideration.
"It's firmly believed that it's the woman's responsibility. But I wouldn't dream of saying that," she declared. "I believe there's a problem with Japanese society, which views the bodies of young women (teens and 20s) as merchandise."
Little relief exists for those whose lives have been disrupted.
Yu no longer has any connection to the host, who supposedly forgave her debt after she'd paid a significant portion. But given her bills and hefty credit card debt, she's stuck.
"I'm still engaging in sex work since I can't afford to escape. I don't want to do this, yet it's as though I'm unraveling," Yu elaborated.
"I've reached my lowest point. I don't know if I can start anew."
CNN's Moeri Karasawa collaborated on this story.
Read also:
Despite the alarming rise in incidents of exploitation and sex trafficking in 2023, Japan's laws continue to permit individuals over 18 to visit host clubs.
Asia, with its vast and interconnected cultures, has become a popular destination for hosts looking to expand their online presence and reach out to potential clients.
