Spanish streamer scandal sparks concerns over sexual tourism in Japan

A Spanish streamer, Alberto Alonso (known online as Aruberto Makoto), has sparked outrage in Japan after viral clips showed him harassing a Japanese woman who appeared to be intoxicated in Tokyo’s Kabukicho district. The incident has prompted social media users to call upon the Spanish Embassy in Japan to take action.

The scandal has intensified domestic debate regarding sexual tourism in Japan and the effectiveness of current prostitution laws. Hidemori Gen, founder of the Seiboren association which assists women in the sex industry, noted a visible increase in foreign tourists visiting red-light districts. Gen observed a diverse range of nationalities using translation apps to negotiate and reported that some foreign guides facilitate these interactions.

While police patrols in Kabukicho have increased, Gen stated that authorities rarely detain foreigners for questioning, leading to concerns that visitors may act with impunity. The Seiboren group specifically focuses on assisting victims of ‘Host Clubs,’ where individuals may be coerced into prostitution to settle debts.