Letter written in response to the article "A Demimonde Scrutinized after a Disappearance"

By Ryuichiro Yamazaki
Spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan

October 6, 2000

We regret that Mr. Howard French's article (29 September) entitled "A Demimonde Scrutinized after a Disappearance" lacks objectivity.

The article claims that it is a very common practice for Japanese males to pay for sex without bearing much sense of guilt. Without any factual basis, Mr. French alleges that thousands of Asian and European women are "smuggled into the country as virtual slaves." He further asserts that this "is a feature that sets Japanese society apart from much of the West." This view is an extreme over-generalization, based on a stereotype of Japanese society.

Prostitution is as illegal in Japan as it is in the United States. Moreover, the problem of smuggling migrants and trafficking in persons is not unique to Japan. Many other countries in Europe and the US face the same issue. In fact, Japan has joined forces with these countries to find solutions to these immigration problems. A notable example of this effort is the United Nations intent to establish a legal instrument to deal with illegal immigration through a UN Protocol against trafficking in persons, especially women and children. At present, the Protocol is being finalized in Vienna, and Japan is playing an active role in the negotiation.

In addition to international efforts, Japan has taken many domestic measures to tackle the issue of trafficking in persons. For instance, the Law on Control and Improvement of Amusement Business was amended in 1998 to include the protection of foreign women who are brought to Japan and held under "debt bondage." The Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act also was amended in early 2000 to prevent further inflow of illegal immigrants.

The initiatives have contributed to a decline of foreign nationals' illegally overstaying Japan. In fact, 1999 statistics show a 10 percent decline since 1993, the year representing the highest number of illegal foreign nationals in Japan.

With regard to the Lucie Blackman case, the Japanese police are making the best effort to solve the case. A 50-member task force has been established to investigate the case.

In January of this year, Japan hosted the Asia-Pacific Symposium on Trafficking in Persons. The forum fostered a constructive discussion among its participants. It resulted in a deeper understanding and awareness of the issue. Japan believes that sound, proactive measures, rather than an argument based on biased stereotype, are what are required to improve the situation.

This article was written in response to "Opinion" by Mr. Howard W. French