Yokohama sees surge in foreign ‘ladyboys’ on its backstreets

YOKOHAMA–The lifting of travel restrictions in a post-COVID world had the desired effect of a surge in tourist numbers. But nobody seems to have counted on an influx of “ladyboy” male prostitutes to the main entertainment district here southwest of Tokyo.

In 2019, two male prostitutes were detained by Kanagawa prefectural police. But there were no cases over the next three years when the health scare was raging.

However, between May and September, five men between the ages of 27 and 53 who were from Thailand, the Philippines and Peru were detained.

RESIDENTS FEARFUL

The problem is especially noticeable in the Wakabacho district right next to Isezakicho, the largest entertainment district of Yokohama close to JR Kannai Station.

Condominiums, commercial buildings and parking lots dot the area, but late at night the mood of the community…