This claim from a fuzoku writer — that is, one specializing in the sex industry — sounded far too appealing for Shukan Jitsuwa (Apr. 8) to ignore: “There’s a ‘pink salon’ in Otsuka serving more than 200 customers a day. In this economy, that is unbelievable.”
Naturally, the tabloid felt obligated to investigate the premises, located in Tokyo’s Toshima Ward — no name for the establishment is given but a Google search reveals a few candidates — and discovered that Japan’s ongoing deflation has sent cash-strapped patrons stampeding to such establishments, which supply non-coital sexual services, in favor of deri heru (out-call) businesses.
“Since last summer, fuzoku prices have fallen like a rock,” says that same sex scribe. “In Tokyo, standard deri heru fees have dropped from 15,000 yen for 60 minutes to 10,000 yen for 40 minutes. The smaller outlay is appealing to customers. But these days, even that can’t top the reasonable fees charged by a pink salon.”
Unlike the deri heru trade, pink salon prices have not changed, but the services rendered have been boosted. Patrons can now expect turns with three different ladies — referred to as 花びら回転 (hanabirakaiten, or literally flower petal rotation) — an increase over the two that was once the industry standard.
“Otsuka and Kichijoji are hot spots,” explains a sports shimbun editor. “Lines form in the morning. Office ladies walking through the areas wonder: ‘What is going on?’ Of course, they don’t get any answers.”
The article says that back in the day the reputation of a pink salon was not high, with the staff mainly being comprised of middle-aged ladies. However, younger gals are entering the trade, spurned on by the recent popularity. “For sure, the quality is increasing,” says a pink club manager in Tokyo. “They are college girls, freshmen or recent graduates, aged in their early twenties. During interviews it is possible to pick and choose quality talent at will.”
The customers are not the only ones benefiting from this boom. “The girls get paid on an hourly basis — usually 3,000 yen per hour plus 500 yen per customer,” says that same fuzoku writer. “With the deri heru business struggling and pay being based on a per-customer basis, gals are looking for locked-in income.”
Shukan Jitsuwa salivates at the prospect of a literal tongue lashing laid out by a cute lass for a mere 3,000 yen — the perfect stress release. (A.T.)
Source: “Kaiki. Gyoretsu ga. Deki hajimeta pin saron ninki,” Shukan Jitsuwa (Apr. 8, pages 210-211)