A Tale of Two Systems: Contrasting Approaches to Female Sexual Services in Japan and New Zealand
This article examines two vastly different legislative approaches to commercial sexual services for female clients: the loophole-based legality of rezu fūzoku (lesbian sexual entertainment) in Japan, and the full decriminalization of sex work under the Prostitution Reform Act (PRA) 2003 in New Zealand. While Japan’s niche market caters to women seeking "iyashi" (healing) and intimacy, it operates amidst social stigma and without strong worker protection. Conversely, New Zealand’s gender-neutral model treats sex work as a legal occupation, prioritizing the human rights, safety, and occupational welfare of workers, thus establishing a structural framework for female sexual agency.