Coronavirus pandemic good for forcing ‘pretty girls’ into sex work, Japan comedian says

Takashi Okamura has apologised for the remarks he made on a late-night talk show in response to a listener frustrated at the closure of red light districts

He said the man should save his money, as the economic fallout of the crisis would mean more desperate young women entering Japan’s sex industry

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The neon lights of Kabukicho, one of Tokyo’s red light districts. Photo: Shutterstock.

Published: 1:51pm, 30 Apr 2020Updated: 2:00pm, 30 Apr 2020

A Japanese comedian has triggered a storm of criticism after claiming that the coronavirus pandemic will benefit patrons of the country’s sex industry by forcing more hard-up young women into prostitution.

Takashi Okamura made the comments at the weekend on his “All Night Nippon” radio show in response to a listener who complained that he was unable to visit any massage parlours or other such venues Japan’s red light districts have been asked to close down to halt the spread of the virus.

Okamura counselled his listener to “save your money” until after the crisis has passed, as there would be impoverished “pretty girls entering [the sex industry] after the coronavirus is over”.

Nippon Broadcasting System, the radio station that broadcasts Okamura’s show, issued an apology on its website on Monday, saying the comments “lacked understanding” of the current crisis and showed “a lack of respect for women”.

Japanese comedian and late-night talk show host Takashi Okamura. Photo: Internet

In a statement released on Wednesday through his management agency, Yoshimoto Kogyo Holdings, Okamura said he “deeply regrets” his comments, which were “extremely inappropriate towards people who are in a difficult position”.