성매수는 처벌 안받는 이상한 ‘매춘방지법’…일 정부, 본격 개정나서

The Japanese government has taken a stance on revising the 'Anti-Prostitution Law' to include punishment for sex buyers. According to the Ministry of Justice, a committee examining the 'Prostitution Law Regulation Review' revealed that the upcoming revision of the 'Anti-Prostitution Law' will focus on making sex buyers subject to punishment alongside sex workers.

The current law defines prostitution as "an act that violates the dignity of humans, goes against moral standards, and harms the good customs of society" (Article 1), but the real punishment is often limited to sex workers, mainly focusing on facilitating sex buyers. The law currently restricts actions such as encouraging prostitution in conspicuous ways, following or blocking the path of sex workers, and having male sex workers waiting openly for clients in public places.

If found illegal, sex buyers face "six months or less of imprisonment or a fine of up to 22,000 yen (around 17,300 USD)." However, sex buyers have not faced any legal consequences. The report noted that the law is imbalanced, as it does not punish sex buyers, while only targeting sex workers. The committee recommended adding a clause that takes into account the need for protection and support for sex buyers during the actual punishment and sentencing process.

The report also highlighted concerns from both women's support organizations and some in academia, who believe that only punishing sex buyers while not punishing sex buyers could perpetuate the current structure of prostitution and cause further harm to women working in the industry. The report stated that the government cannot yet punish prostitution itself, but plans to submit a revised law to the temporary Diet in the fall based on the report.