November 27, 2025

Japanese Communist Party lawmaker Motomura Nobuko, at a House of Representatives Judicial Affairs Committee meeting on November 26, demanded that the Prostitution Prohibition Law be revised to punish those who purchase sex.

Motomura noted that the existing law stipulates that prostitution “harms the dignity of the individual”, and asked, “Whose dignity is harmed in the sex trade?” In response, Justice Minister Hiraguchi Hiroshi said that sex sellers’ dignity would be harmed, adding, “Dignity of those who purchase sex, mainly men, would also be hurt.”

Motomura pointed out that the current anti-prostitution law only punishes sex workers, and asked, “Don’t you think such a law questionable?” In response, the minister only said that the law is focused on preventing the disruption of society’s morals.

Motomura said that under the current law, those who are forced into prostitution even through sexual violence and coercion have no choice but to give up and accept their situation for fear of arrest. The JCP lawmaker said that the law should be revised to impose punishments on buyers and to protect sex workers by such means as enabling them to report their experience of sexual violence. Justice Minister Hiraguchi in reply said that punishing those who buy sex needs careful consideration, including whether it would unfairly restrict people’s freedom.

The JCP lawmaker pointed out that the minister fails to point to the responsibility of the person purchasing sex because he does not know about the reality. She demanded that the ministry conduct a fact-finding survey regarding the sex trade industry and sexual exploitation, and revise the law based on the survey results.