Exploring the Growing Shadow of Illegal Men’s Estheticians Amid the Surge of Independent Therapists

Independent therapists not affiliated with shops are rising to prominence

In recent years, men’s estheticians have gained popularity, surpassing adult businesses like delivery health services. Originally, these establishments were meant to provide healthy services such as relaxation and aromatherapy massages, but it is reported that some men’s estheticians in urban areas offer sexual services.

Since the business model claims there are no sexual services, regulations under the Adult Entertainment Law, such as restrictions on late-night operations, do not apply. As a result, 24-hour establishments are common in this industry, and recently, the number of independent therapists has been rising.

“Independent therapists are those who do not belong to a shop and instead gather clients directly through social media like X (formerly Twitter), using direct messages or official LINE accounts to accept bookings. They often use hourly rental apartments as treatment locations. Since they don’t go through a store, all the earnings, after expenses like location fees, go directly to them. Many say their income has significantly increased compared to when they were affiliated with a store,” said a former men’s esthetician owner.

The typical trend is for popular therapists with many regular customers to become independent to increase their income. However, there are cases where therapists, struggling to attract clients at shops, turn to offering extreme services to attract business. Some even provide illegal services like full sexual acts to gain customers.

The market rate and reality of full sexual acts

When the author interviewed a person who had received treatment from a private therapist rumored online, it was confirmed that full services were indeed provided. Moreover, it was reported that the services were extremely extreme, involving what is known as “NN” (intercourse and internal ejaculation).

“Men’s esthetic shops prohibit sexual services and strictly enforce this rule with both therapists and clients. However, private therapists do not have such restrictions from stores, making it easier for them to offer extreme services. In the past, shops could refuse client requests using store rules as a shield, but in the case of private therapists, it may be harder to decline,” said a former business owner.

When receiving full services at an illegal men’s esthetic shop, an additional under-the-table option fee is required on top of the basic price. For a therapist in their 20s, the total cost for 90 minutes is around 35,000 yen. However, with private therapists in their 30s and older, the cost is around 25,000 yen, making them popular for their cost performance.

Again, these actions are clearly illegal, and the risk of sexually transmitted infections increases dramatically with “NN” services. However, it is difficult to apprehend private therapists, as they do not operate in stores and have a limited number of clients.

While news of the bust of men’s esthetic shops often makes headlines, the closure of these shops may only lead to an increase in harmful private therapists.

In the paid version of FRIDAY GOLD, the author interviews two freelance therapists known for providing extreme services and explains the details of their services.