<figure id="attachment_373094" class="wp-caption alignnone" style="width: 2076px;" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-373094"><a href="#" data-ident_hash="1e4dc784"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/fridaydigital/image/private/t_article_image/wpmedia/2024/05/73f905ac7f5e8d6a14a492d7e63c3b4d-2.jpg" alt=""></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-373094" class="wp-caption-text">It&#8217;s also fun to be celebrated in the countryside. Even if you are a frog in a well, it is OK if you are happy.</figcaption></figure>
Since the self-regulation of credit sales at host clubs in Kabukicho started earlier this year, some host groups that mainly operated in regional areas have decided to withdraw from Kabukicho. Amidst this situation where some establishments, which relied heavily on credit sales, are being forced to close down, it&#8217;s been reported that certain establishments are bypassing regulations using a certain trick.
&#8220;Credit sales are only prohibited in Kabukicho. So, there are fewer establishments refraining from credit sales in cities like Osaka. Therefore, when visiting affiliated establishments in Osaka, for example, they can still engage in credit sales.&#8221;
This is what Makoto (pseudonym, 27), who works at a major host club in Kabukicho, shares.
&#8220;In places like Osaka or Sapporo, the trend of famous hosts making guest appearances in regional areas has become mainstream in the past year or two. In the past, it was mainly famous hosts with a social media following who would go to attract new customers in regional areas. However, recently even less well-known cast members are going to regional clubs. I think it&#8217;s tough for management to schedule these appearances.&#8221;
It&#8217;s not uncommon for hosts to make over 1 million yen in sales during a single guest appearance. With the prestige of being invited to regional areas, the average customer spending also increases. It seems like a profitable way for famous hosts to make money. However, for novice hosts struggling to generate sales with new customers in regional areas, they often tag along with Kabukicho&#8217;s existing customers under the guise of a trip.
&#8220;At my club, there was a time when transportation expenses for regional appearances were covered. It felt like the club was subsidizing half the cost of a trip, so we would take customers along. Instead of traveling together, we would have champagne at the club where the guest appearance was scheduled. We would choose girls with a certain pride, like &#8216;I have to be useful!&#8217; But in the end, it didn&#8217;t really pay off because we would get tired from traveling.&#8221; (Yuito, pseudonym, 23)
On the other hand, with more hosts from Kabukicho bringing clients to regional appearances, they sometimes face suspicion.
At the club I belong to, there&#8217;s a business trip to Osaka that doubles as an employee trip. However, most of the clients we entertain are new, so the average spending per customer doesn&#8217;t increase. On days of the Osaka business trip, the main club is closed, so the employees remaining in Tokyo have a day off, and of course, they want to have fun. So, we go sightseeing or to Universal Studios with our colleagues.
But Tokyo clients, knowing that hosts often go on regional business trips with girls, sometimes contact us saying, 
 
 
“You&#8217;re probably also at Universal Studios with a girl!&#8217; If you get harassed by a mental case while you&#8217;re trying to refresh, it ruins everything. To be honest, considering this kind of mental stress, I don&#8217;t really see the benefit of going to regional areas.&#8221; (Rio, pseudonym, 24)
As hosts from Kabukicho flock to regional areas, some clients seem to be getting hooked on hosting in regional areas.
&#8220;I&#8217;ve been going to hosts for the first time while going to work at a brothel. There was even a time when I spent all the money meant for the Tokyo host on my first visit and got beaten up (laughs). I just think, &#8216;I have money, so it&#8217;s fine!&#8217;
Lately, Kabukicho has become too expensive, but in regional areas, I get a lot of attention just by buying cheap champagne. So, I report less earnings to my main host and use the leftover money to spend on regional hosts.&#8221; (Mayuka, pseudonym, 23)
The ripple effects of the ban on credit sales are unexpectedly spreading nationwide.
From the May 24, 2024 issue of FRIDAY

 Born in Tokyo in 2000. After attending an integrated school in Tokyo from elementary school to high school, he went on to Keio University. He is studying the sociology of the downtown area, including Kabukicho. After graduation, he worked as a writer. His new book "Host! Tachinbo! To Yoko! Overdose na Hito-tachi" (Kodansha) is now on sale!

 Chihuahua Sasaki

 This year, Kabukicho's host clubs have begun voluntarily restricting accounts receivable. While some host clubs have been forced to close their doors, others have been able to get around the ordinance by using a certain "underhanded technique"... that is, "local business trips". What is the actual situation of hosts' local business trips?

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