Walking around the Red Light District in Osaka was truly an experience like no other. It was difficult, shocking and terrifying all at the same time. I got a firsthand experience of what it’s really like for the women trapped in sex-slavery here.
From the outside it looked like any normal street. However, upon closer inspection you can see women sitting on beds and either beckoning men to come inside or waiting for interested men to come over. They looked so ashamed as we walked through their area. It completely shattered my heart. They definitely did not look like they wanted to be there.
We then made it to a street nicknamed, “yokai street” in Japanese, which translates to “demon street.” This street had drunk men stumbling all over the place- marked by their red and grinning faces. The entire street reeked of alcohol. The women at the beginning of the street were older women (I did manage to take pictures of them: see below). If you walked down a bit further, the sex workers on this street got shockingly young; extremely young. If I had to guess I would say they were only teenagers. They were dressed in next to nothing, beckoning men to come in to do business with them. The “mother” of the house called the, “obaasan” would stand out front and negotiate prices with the men while the women would dance or sit pretty as men watched. I couldn’t get any pictures or video of that area due to the fact that the “obaasan” or “mother” of the house would not allow us too.
As I was in a group of women, our presence was definitely not wanted there and we ran into some trouble. I almost got my cell phone taken away by an “obaasan” and she got right in my face and demanded that I give her my phone. When she noticed in was taking pictures, she rushed right up to me and told me it was not allowed. It was a scary experience, but ultimately nothing too dangerous happened! As we walked by the girls, they yelled out to us, “go away, don’t look at us.” They actually wanted us to leave. As women walking around this area, we were certainly not welcome.
Knowing this may happen in advance, we split up into two teams for safety before entering this area. I was in a group with three other Christian women and we walked down the street together. The Christian men and Pastor with us followed behind us. We had to give the appearance that we were not together. We tried to be under the radar, although the fact that I was a woman (never mind a foreigner woman) was cause enough to stick out like a sore thumb. I wasn’t able to get within 15 feet of the girls and the “obaasans” were quick to spread the word that we were there. They called the other “obaasans” by cell phone to warn them that we were there. The girls then hid their faces from us as we walked by as they knew that we were coming.
I had made tracts to distribute to these women, but unfortunately was not able to distribute not even one. I almost got into an altercation with an “obaasan” just for taking pictures so we really had to use discernment for our safety in this situation. I realize now that the human trafficking in Osaka is much larger and much more organized that I could have ever anticipated. It is also an engrained part of their culture.
After being there, I believe God is instructing me to pray for these women and with God’s help, formulate a better plan to help reach the women trapped in the illegal sex industry. I learned more about helping women in this area and ways to battle human trafficking, yet much more work still needs to be done. Setting up a recovery plan for the women enslaved and offering them a new way of life is an essential place to start. One of the Pastors told me that the women enslaved in Japan do not want to be there and that they are being forced to work as sex slaves. Finding creative ways to provide a way out and share the gospel with these women will be the first course of action that I will seek the Lord for.
It is my prayer to seek God’s vision and leading further in this matter before returning to Japan and hopefully making an even bigger impact for the Kingdom! I look forward to all that the Lord will continue to do! Thank you!
Lifted Vision Ministry 