Prevalence and Correlates of Enjo Kousai, School Girl and Boy Prostitution, in Japan

Abstract

Utilizing an ecological risk framework, this study investigates individual, familial, and extra familial risk factors that correlate to involvement in Enjo Kousai (school girl/boy prostitution) among Japanese youth. The sample (N=802) for this study is a diverse and fairly representative sample of post-secondary students from a range of vocational schools, colleges, and universities in the Sapporo area of Hokkaido, Japan. Nearly one out of 10 males and one out of 25 females reported engaging in this behavior. This research suggests that both females and males who experience certain life events are at higher risk for being involved in Enjo Kousai. For females, a history of sexual abuse, drug use, depressive symptoms, a parent who has been in prison, and a father who visits Fuzoku (brothels) were significant predictors of involvement in Enjo Kousai. For the male sample, a history of sexual abuse, drug use, a parent who has been in prison and living in an unsafe neighborhood were significant predictors of participating in Enjo Kousai.