Papa-katsu Goes International: How Japanese Women Are Targeting Foreign Tourists

In Japan’s evolving social and economic landscape, a growing number of young women are turning to “papa-katsu” – the practice of seeking financial support from older men in exchange for companionship – as a means of economic survival. While the phenomenon originated domestically, recent trends show Japanese women increasingly targeting foreign tourists as potential “daddies,” leveraging the influx of international visitors to supplement their income. This shift reflects broader economic pressures and changing social dynamics in post-pandemic Japan.

What Is Papa-katsu?

The term “papa-katsu” (パパ活) combines “papa,” meaning “dad” or sugar daddy, with “katsu,” a suffix derived from activities like “shukatsu” (job hunting) or “konkatsu” (marriage hunting). It refers to the active pursuit of financial relationships with older, typically wealthier men who provide money, gifts, or luxury experiences in exchange for companionship, which may include sexual favors. Unlike traditional compensated dating (“enjo-kosai”), papa-katsu is often facilitated through dedicated dating clubs, social media platforms, and matchmaking websites that screen participants and promote the arrangement as a discreet, mutually beneficial agreement.

According to the Japanese magazine Nikkan SPA!, one major papa-katsu website alone has 380,000 female members, with estimates suggesting nearly 3 million active women across Japan participate in the practice. This equates to roughly one in ten young women in the country having engaged in papa-katsu at some point.

Why Are Japanese Women Turning to Papa-katsu?

Economic hardship is a primary driver behind the rise of papa-katsu. The global pandemic disproportionately affected young women in Japan, particularly those working in hospitality, retail, and part-time roles. Data from Japan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications showed that from April to June 2021, the average number of women unemployed for more than six months reached 340,000 – significantly higher than the 280,000 recorded during the same period in 2020.

For many, papa-katsu offers a flexible and lucrative alternative to traditional employment. Foreign women residing in Japan have also adopted the practice. As reported by Japan Today, individuals like Annie, a 21-year-old Indonesian woman working in a Roppongi gaikokujin pub, turned to papa-katsu after her hours were cut during the pandemic. She reported earning between 250,000 and 300,000 yen monthly from relationships with three men she met online – more than double her previous income – while working fewer hours.

The Shift Toward Foreign Tourists

As Japan reopened its borders and international tourism rebounded, some Japanese women began adapting their papa-katsu strategies to target foreign visitors. Tourists, especially those from Western countries with higher disposable incomes, are often perceived as more generous spenders compared to local men. This perception, combined with the novelty of interacting with foreigners, has made overseas travelers an appealing demographic for women seeking higher payouts.

Social media and dating apps have become key tools in this shift. Women use platforms popular with tourists – such as Instagram, Tinder, and Bumble – to connect with visitors shortly after their arrival. Some even coordinate meetups in luxury districts like Ginza, Roppongi, or Shibuya, offering companionship during shopping trips, dining experiences, or nightlife outings in exchange for financial compensation.

While papa-katsu dating clubs typically enforce strict ID checks to exclude minors and promote safety, the move toward informal, app-based encounters with tourists raises concerns about consent, exploitation, and legal ambiguity. Although papa-katsu exists in a legal gray area – not explicitly illegal unless it involves minors or coercion – the lack of regulation increases vulnerability, particularly when language barriers or cultural misunderstandings arrive into play.

Economic and Social Implications

The internationalization of papa-katsu underscores deeper structural issues in Japan’s economy, including wage stagnation, precarious employment, and limited social safety nets for young workers. For many women, papa-katsu is not a lifestyle choice but a survival strategy in the face of rising living costs and insecure job markets.

At the same time, the trend highlights Japan’s ongoing struggle with gendered economic inequality. Women continue to face wage gaps, limited career advancement, and societal expectations that disproportionately burden them with financial insecurity. Papa-katsu, while controversial, reflects a pragmatic response to these systemic challenges.

Conclusion

Papa-katsu’s evolution from a domestic practice to one increasingly targeting foreign tourists illustrates how economic pressures can drive innovation in informal economies. As Japan continues to navigate post-pandemic recovery and shifting global dynamics, the phenomenon remains a complex intersection of survival, agency, and societal challenge.

While papa-katsu offers financial relief for some, it also raises important questions about labor, consent, and the commodification of relationships in an era of economic uncertainty. Addressing the root causes – such as income inequality and lack of accessible support systems – will be essential to ensuring that young women are not forced to rely on such arrangements to make ends meet.