Danica Davidson
July 25, 2025 
In May, Otaku USA reported on a new law in Japan meant to protect women from coercive practices at host clubs. There were 207 criminal investigations into host clubs in 2024, and these revolved around cases where, for example, host clubs pressure customers who owe them money into going into prostitution or pornography as a way to cancel their debts.
Now the new law is in affect, and in part it’s changing how host clubs are advertised. For instance, because host clubs are no longer allowed to use “romance sales tactics,” their advertisements can no longer say things like “Annual sales over 100 million yen” or “No.1 requested host.”
The National Police Agency stated that ads that offer a “pleasure-seeking, indulgent atmosphere” could “encourage” illegal acts — and therefore are now against the law. Apparently these ads are seen as coercive and more likely to make women spend more money and then possibly be coerced into paying it back through illegal means.
One anonymous host expressed his frustration to the news, saying, “It’s tough. I think it’ll be harder to keep our female customers motivated. Seeing the results — like, ‘I’m the one paying most of this massive sales total’ — meant something to them. Losing that is sad. Honestly, I can’t accept it.”
Writer Chiwawa Sasaki is interested in host clubs and remarked, “Kabukicho [a district in Shinjuku known for host clubs] is in chaos. Sales will likely drop significantly. They’ll have to change the way they get customers to spend money and the way they build support.”
People involved with host clubs are mainly not happy with these changes. Some argue that things are being taken too far while trying to curb a real issue. Right now host club ads are literally getting tape put over their newly-illegal slogans before fresh ads are put up.
Source: Tokyo Weekender
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Danica Davidson is the author of the bestselling Manga Art for Beginners with artist Melanie Westin, plus its sequel, Manga Art for Everyone, and the first-of-its-kind manga chalk book Chalk Art Manga, both illustrated by professional Japanese mangaka Rena Saiya. Check out her other comics and books at www.danicadavidson.com.
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