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Johnny’s talent toiling in Shinjuku 2-chome bar

Shukan Josei June 17
Shukan Josei June 17
It is hardly news if a budding female entertainer takes up part-time work in the sex trade. However, says Nikkan Gendai (June 6), for a male to do such — and as a gay prostitute, no less — well, that is another matter entirely.

According to a report in Shukan Josei (June 17), Toshiki Tanaka, a 20-year-old member the Johnny & Associates talent agency, is toiling at a host club in the Shinjuku 2-chome gay quarter in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward.

Tanaka is enrolled with Johnny’s Jr., a subsidiary of Johnny & Associates whose roster includes male entertainers who are working their way into the industry.

At the club, which is not identified, two hours of drinking requires a fee of 10,000 yen. The club’s employees, all of whom possess the youthful looks of the members of Johnny & Associates, are also available to be taken off the premises for sexual activities by either male or female customers for 30,000 yen.

In his career, Tanaka, a native of Saitama Prefecture, has appeared with Hideaki Takizawa, who is a member of the group Tackey & Tsubasa.

According to Nikkan Gendai, male performers looking to break into the industry face hard times. “It is not just Tanaka working in the mizushobai trade. There are others,” says an entertainment writer, referring to night work. “For a stage appearance, a Jr. member can get just 5,000 yen. For every SMAP or Arashi, who are paid handsomely, there are a lot of performers who have yet to debut.”

According to Cyzo Woman, the hosts working part-time are both gay and straight. “There are a lot of rich women with whom one can establish a good relationship,” says an employee at an entertainment production company. “She’ll become his ‘papa.’ There are a lot of instances like that.” (A.T.)

Source: “’2chome’ de baito… joseishi hodo de roken shita janiizu naikaku sa, ” Nikkan Gendai (May 30)