Luxury Soaplands “Premium Delivery Health” In Among Tokyo’s Elite

“If possible, I’d prefer someone highly skilled.”

“As people rise in status, the ground beneath them becomes increasingly slippery.”
This quote, left behind by the ancient Roman historian Tacitus—author of works such as Germania—captures a timeless truth: “The higher the status and the greater the power, the more one is tempted to believe they can get away with anything. And that’s precisely when they fall into unforeseen traps.” This kind of downfall remains all too common in modern-day Japan.

On May 16, the University of Tokyo and two of its male professors from the Faculty of Medicine were sued in the Tokyo District Court by the Japan Cosmetics Association. The lawsuit claims the professors pressured the association into lavish, repeated entertainment expenses—seeking damages totaling around ¥42 million (approx. $270,000 USD).

According to the Association’s representative director, what began as casual dining to build rapport escalated into increasingly expensive requests. These included not only upscale restaurants and exclusive Ginza clubs but also luxury soaplands in Yoshiwara—some costing as much as ¥80,000 per visit. One professor even made requests like, “If possible, I’d prefer someone highly skilled,” indulging in what amounted to high-end sexual entertainment. The representative claimed there were days when they had to attend adult services during the day and formal dinners at night—running around non-stop. In the span of a year and a half, total entertainment expenses ballooned to nearly ¥20 million.

As professors at a national university, the accused are considered “de facto public officials.” This means their alleged conduct could fall under criminal bribery. Likewise, the Association’s actions could be seen as offering bribes—yet they chose to file the lawsuit regardless, seemingly prepared for the consequences.

Looking back, Japan has seen similar scandals. In 1998, the Ministry of Finance was rocked by an entertainment corruption case, where financial institutions treated officials to outings at “no-pant shabu-shabu” clubs in Kabukicho—earning widespread notoriety.

In the University of Tokyo case, the revelations came to light because the recipients’ demands and intimidation became intolerable, prompting legal action. But the underlying issue is bribery. Hospitality and client entertainment aren’t illegal in themselves—it’s when public servants are involved, and gifts or favors are tied to influence, that it crosses the line.

In fact, adult entertainment has long been a tool in Japanese business culture. In the late 1980s, during the bubble economy, the phrase “3S entertainment” was coined—short for “Sushi, Steak, and Soapland” (some say it stood for “Sushi & Steak, Sauna, and Soapland”). These extravagant nights were used to secure talent in a tight labor market—lavish, hedonistic affairs aimed at locking in job candidates with excessive wining and dining.

While times have changed, the blurring of power, privilege, and vice continues to raise questions—especially when public trust is at stake.

Doing the guilty together brings us closer together

Entertainment involving adult services has long been a normalized part of corporate culture in certain industries. In male-dominated fields such as banking, trading companies, and construction, it was practically “tradition” for businessmen to bond through shared experiences at adult entertainment venues. A source from the construction industry, where such practices are still not unheard of, offered this perspective:

“Going to a sex establishment with a client creates a deeper, more trusting ‘special relationship.’ By secretly going to places considered socially improper, it creates a kind of camaraderie—like, ‘We did something shady together.’ It can even become a powerful tool for winning over a client ahead of rival companies.”

However, modern values and workplace norms have shifted significantly. Inviting someone to a sex-related venue as part of business entertainment is now more likely to be seen as sexual harassment or abuse of power. On top of that, businesses no longer have the same time or financial resources for lavish entertaining, which has naturally led to a decline in this kind of practice.

That said, as illustrated by the recent case involving University of Tokyo professors, such conduct hasn’t vanished completely.

In the past, soaplands were the go-to venue for this kind of hospitality, but more recently, high-end delivery health (premium escort-style services) has become the preferred choice. Since these services are dispatched to private locations rather than operated out of public storefronts, there’s no risk of being spotted entering a sex shop. Many of these high-end services are known for their strong commitment to privacy, allowing the recipient of the hospitality to enjoy the experience discreetly and comfortably.

Prices typically range from ¥30,000 to ¥40,000 (roughly $190–$250) for a 70-minute session—almost double that of standard delivery health—but the casts are selected for their looks, physique, and hospitality skills, offering a high level of service that virtually guarantees a successful, memorable client experience.

In fact, some providers now offer dedicated packages tailored specifically for corporate entertaining or are open to consultations on how to use their services discreetly and effectively.
It seems that, even today, adult entertainment remains deeply intertwined with the world of business hospitality.

 

In the paid version of “FRIDAY GOLD,” Ikoma explains in detail the contents of “entertainment plans” at high-class delicatessen.