Conbini Cult

Located in Tokyo’s Shinjuku ward, Kabukicho is Japan’s most well-known red-light district. Today we discuss the adult industry and the types of establishments that can be found in Kabukicho, the legal loopholes that allow this industry to thrive, along with lack of regulation, coercion and trafficking concerns, among other things. 

Just in case it wasn’t clear, absolutely no shame to the workers in this industry. We hope for legal protections for them, along with health protection and reproductive care. 

TW: s*x work, s*xual exploitation, coercion, p*dophilia, assault

Got questions or want to share your story? Send us an email at [email protected]

Host: Frankie - @franklinthewoman on all platforms

Jingle by SATSUKI

Words mentioned/useful words:

風俗 fūzoku (adult entertainment industry, prostitution, sex work) 

References/sources:

“Japanese Man Arrested for Sexual Enslavement of Toyoko Minor” - Unseen Japan

https://unseen-japan.com/kabukicho-arrested-sexual-enslavement-papakatsu/

https://openlibrary.org/books/OL7999568M/Pink_Box

https://www.tokyoreporter.com/japan-news/special-reports/tokyo-cops-nab-16-over-bill-padding-con-played-out-in-kabukicho/

https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2019/jun/15/tokyo-pink-bus-campaign-seeks-to-protect-schoolgirls-from-escort-scouts-jk-business

https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20170529/p2a/00m/0na/011000c

https://www.state.gov/reports/2023-trafficking-in-persons-report/japan

https://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/15612768

https://www.tokyoreporter.com/japan-news/pair-in-custody-for-forcing-woman-into-prostitution-in-kabukicho-further-accused-of-assault/

https://www.tokyoreporter.com/japan-news/kabukicho-host-in-custody-for-using-dating-app-to-lure-woman-accused-in-second-case/

https://www.tokyoreporter.com/entertainment/fuzoku/ban-touts-slowing-kabukicho/

https://banzaijapan.jp/kabukicho-touts-or-scams/

https://afterdarkjapan.com/kabukicho-after-midnight-what-tourists-should-really-know/

https://www.japaneselawtranslation.go.jp/en/laws/view/2602

https://gigazine.net/gsc_news/en/20120521-tobita-shinchi/

12 year old girl sold to massage parlor: https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20251112/p2a/00m/0na/023000c 

Worked as a domme in Shinjuku AMA: https://www.reddit.com/r/japanlife/s/WPpa8z6VIV 

Papa Katsu: https://www.reddit.com/r/sugarlifestyleforum/comments/1ve1jml/sugaring_in_japan_and_why_papakatsu_is_not_quite/ 

Time stamps

00:00 Kabukicho

06:48 legal loophole, types of places, income

19:22 TW p*dos, trafficking, coercion

32:47 rip-off bars

36:19 honorable mentions

40:23 Osaka equivalent

The Toyoko Kids are a group of runaway youth that have found community in Kabukicho, Tokyo’s red light district. Today we chat with Kaja, a public health expert who has volunteered and worked with NPOs supporting the Toyoko Kids to find out more about the kinds of home lives the kids are escaping from, the kind of support they currently receive, and what us regular folks can do to spread awareness and help. 

TW: child abuse, self harm, s*xual abuse 

Got questions or want to share your story? Send us an email at [email protected]

Kaja’s socials (other resources below!): https://www.tiktok.com/@kaja.jpn

https://www.instagram.com/pasteldirt 

Host: Frankie - @franklinthewoman on all platforms

Jingle by SATSUKI

Words mentioned/useful words:

帰国子女 (kikoku shijo) - returnee, students who spent time abroad and have returned to Japan

こども食堂 (kodomo shokudo) - children’s cafeteria (provides meals and social support for children, families, and elderly in need)

パパ 活 (papa katsu) - compensated dating, sugar dating (kind of)

ゴミ拾い (gomi hiroi) - litter picking

振込 (furikomi) - bank transfer

References/sources:

Toyoko Kids resource masterlist by Kaja: https://note.com/lemon_jpn/n/n9898156e00b0 

Nippon Kakekomidera: https://www.nippon-kakekomidera.com/ 

Youth Kakekomidera: https://youth-kakekomi.jp/ 

ARTE.tv documentary: https://youtu.be/Z68Qa2yVsIg?si=wPmjL-VdfYpD5RwP 

Find a doc: https://www.findadoc.jp/ 

WHO Report: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1AES7zee4IYKKRcrhVgrqFGjJILHkmvRQDJwuqrcaOAU/edit?tab=t.0 

Japanese Man Arrested for S*xual Enslavement of Toyoko Minor: https://unseen-japan.com/kabukicho-arrested-sexual-enslavement-papakatsu/ 

Tokyo man arrested for luring girl into prostitution: https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/05/15/japan/crime-legal/man-arrest-girl-prostitution/ 

Time stamps

00:00 Toyoko Kids intro & volunteer work

05:41 Kaja’s background in public health

10:06 Toyoko Kids stats, home life, exploitation

21:38 social media —> more exploitation

25:34 the NPO (funding, what they do), who is responsible?

37:30 other groups in other cities

39:35 what can we do to help?

57:12 Kaja’s current ventures in public health 

What better way to end spooky season than with some real life horrors?! It’s that time again to share dating stories. Buckle up because some of these stories are pretty wild. Disclaimer: the stories happened in Japan but they don’t all say whether or not the person was Japanese. Just because some of the people in the stories were pretty unhinged, doesn’t mean everyone here is. 

Got questions or want to share your story? Send us an email at [email protected]

Host: Frankie - @franklinthewoman on all platforms

References/sources:

https://www.reddit.com/r/japanlife/comments/zglnxe/weird_experience_at_a_love_hotel_last_night/

https://www.reddit.com/r/japanresidents/comments/1wzyq52/tinder_and_older_japanese_woman/

https://www.reddit.com/r/japanresidents/comments/1ao5y6p/are_japanese_wives_more_likely_to_have_affairs_if/

https://www.reddit.com/r/japanlife/comments/rzyz98/give_me_your_awful_japan_dating_stories_so_i_can/ 

https://www.reddit.com/r/japanlife/comments/vkv7mt/dating_horror_stories/

https://www.reddit.com/r/japanlife/comments/165fs9e/its_that_time_again_dating_horror_stories_2023/

Time stamps

00:00 what’s going on in these streets

06:00 reddit stories

46:06 TW - self harm & su*cide 

54:42 listener story

Our second edition of Halloween 2026. We’ve curated some more real life hauntings to chill your bones and keep you awake at night. Sleep tight! 

Got questions or want to share your story? Send us an email at [email protected]

Host: Frankie - @franklinthewoman on all platforms

Jingle by SATSUKI

Words mentioned/useful words:

神隠し kami kakushi - concealed by the gods, spirited away

References/sources:

https://www.reddit.com/r/Kyoto/comments/1hboojl/has_anyone_had_any_strange_experiences_in_fushimi/

https://www.reddit.com/r/ParanormalEncounters/comments/1uzo0as/weird_vacation_experience_in_japan/

https://www.reddit.com/r/Kyoto/comments/15ggkdb/teleporting_old_lady_in_pontocho_alley/

https://www.reddit.com/r/Ghosts/comments/4mxmkh/japans_haunted_locations_ugh_tunnels/

https://www.reddit.com/r/Paranormal/comments/1esmv96/experiences_with_japanese_ghosts/?share_id=G1DdQQt_U-IT8niYqGBPK&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf&utm_source=share&utm_term=1 

Time stamps

00:00 creepy experience in Tokyo

05:45 spirited away at Fushimi Inari

21:11 unexpected visitor in Tokyo

26:12 teleporting ghost of Pontocho

31:15 haunted tunnels

39:02 something followed us from the shrine

43:23 experiences with Japanese ghosts

Sumo is one of the most renowned sports in Japan, but every industry has a dark side too. From hazing incidents, ab*se, cover ups, gambling ties, and health risks like heart disease and CTE, let’s learn more about sumo’s dark underbelly. 

Got questions or want to share your story? Send us an email at [email protected]

Host: Frankie - @franklinthewoman on all platforms

Jingle by SATSUKI

Words mentioned/useful words:

横綱 Yokozuna (grand champion)

関取 Sekitori (upper tier)

References/sources:

Japan’s police see no evil: https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2007-nov-09-fg-autopsy9-story.html 

Sumo diet: https://sumowrestlingshow.jp/1576/ 

CTE: https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2021/feb/06/conservative-world-of-sumo-slow-to-take-action-on-concussion 

Sumo wrestler dies one month after suffering head injury in Japan: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/apr/30/sumo-wrestler-dies-one-month-after-suffering-a-concussion-in-japan 

SAT-691 Lifestyle, Comorbidities, and Longevity of Sumo Wrestlers

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12544268/#:~:text=Sumo%20wrestlers%20eat%20massive%20quantities%20of%20high%2Dprotein,average%20body%20mass%20index%20over%2047%20kg%2Fm%C2%B2.

The Structure of Sumo

https://www.sumotalk.com/structure.htm#:~:text=Professional%20sumo%20consists%20of%20approximately%20550%20rikishi,top%20two%20divisions%2D%2DMakuuchi%20and%20Juryo%2D%2Dare%20called%20%22sekitori.%22

Jail for Sumo bashing mastermind

https://www.abc.net.au/am/archive/articles/2009/05/30/s2585256.htm

Brutal beating death exposes sumo's dark side

https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna23553832

Sumo grand champion Harumafuji felled by assault allegations

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/nov/29/sumo-grand-champion-harumafuji-felled-by-assault-allegations

Sumo wrestler Takanoiwa retiring after allegedly assaulting fellow wrestler

https://www.espn.com/olympics/wrestling/story/_/id/25474514/sumo-wrestler-takanoiwa-retiring-allegedly-assaulting-fellow-wrestler

SUMO BOUT FIXING: HISTORY, INCENTIVES AND THE 2010-2011 MATCH-RIGGING SCANDAL

https://factsanddetails.com/japan/cat21/sub138/item1779.html

Sumo wrestling hit by match-fixing scandal

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/feb/02/japan-sumo-wrestling-match-fixing

Stable masters gave front-row seats to mob

https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2010/05/27/national/stable-masters-gave-front-row-seats-to-mob/

JSA must live up to its words

https://www.japantimes.co.jp/opinion/2010/09/14/editorials/jsa-must-live-up-to-its-words/

Michinoku-Beya Violence Scandal Update

https://tachiai.org/2023/06/24/michinoku-beya-violence-scandal-update/

Ban on women: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/nov/12/japan-pm-sumo-wrestling-ban-women 

https://sumowrestlingshow.jp/1979/

Time stamps

00:00 2007 hazing death + intro

06:20 health risks

16:18 hierarchy & ranking

22:38 bullying, hazing, abuse

29:20 match fixing, yakuza, gambling

33:10 why are women banned

Would you live in an apartment with discounted rent if something tragic had happened there prior? Would you be willing to ride an elevator alone to another world? Or risk your own safety to deliver a cursed talisman to your enemies? Let’s learn about stigmatized properties in Japan (a very real thing), along with some forbidden games and ghost stories. Happy October! 

Got questions or want to share your story? Send us an email at [email protected]

Host: Frankie - @franklinthewoman on all platforms

Jingle by SATSUKI

Words mentioned/useful words:

事故物件 jiko bukken - stigmatized property 

References/sources:

Jiko bukken: https://suumo.jp/baikyaku/guide/entry/jikobukken

https://www.osoujiyasan.jp/jikobukken/column/jikobukken-sale-price

https://www.reddit.com/r/ParanormalEncounters/comments/1vb82qm/my_little_sister_just_moved_to_rural_japan_and/ 

Elevator game: https://ihorror.com/elevator-game-rules-how-to-play/ 

Someone who played it: https://www.reddit.com/r/scarystories/comments/ik4qf9/i_played_the_elevator_game/ 

https://japan-makes-me-scared.com/kotoribako/ 

https://www.reddit.com/r/japan/comments/10h7wqz/anyone_here_lived_in_jiko_bukken_or/ 

https://www.reddit.com/r/japanresidents/comments/142jf8w/anyone_have_any_ghost_stories/ 

https://www.reddit.com/r/japanresidents/comments/1j37zgn/have_you_ever_experienced_something_paranormal_in/ 

Time stamps

00:00 stigmatized property

08:59 the elevator game

19:29 kotoribako

25:22 I’ve never been so happy to leave a town

29:26 living in a stigmatized property

32:17 creepy apartment

34:50 ghost is pissing me off

37:52 little sister haunted in rural Japan

42:34 Tokyo execution ground

45:25 don’t forget your greetings

51:20 time slip in the rice field

How do you properly resign from a Japanese company? How can you report labor law violations? Can you be fired for medical reasons? Let’s read some stories with Ami today about work culture in Japan, red flags for exploitative companies, and more! *We are not lawyers and cannot give legal advice*.

Got questions or want to share your story? Send us an email at [email protected]

Thanks Ami for joining us! 

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ami_and_coo/ 

TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@amiandcoo 

Website & Consultations - https://www.ami-and-co.com/

Host: Frankie - @franklinthewoman on all platforms

Words mentioned/useful words:

浪人 rōnin - high school graduate waiting for another chance to enter university after having failed the yearly entrance examination

中途採用  chuto saiyo - mid-career recruit

手取り tedori - after tax income, net income 

私用 shiyou - personal business/reasons (eg when requesting a day off from work) 

大企業 (dai kigyō) - big company 

正社員 seishain - regular, permanent, full-time employee 

引き継ぎ hikitsugi - passing on, handover

社会保険 shakai hoken - social insurance

退職証明書 taishoku shomeisho - certificate of employment separation

労働審判 rodo shinpan - labor tribunal 

退職届 taishoku todoke - formal resignation notice

Stories:

Company asking for medical info: https://www.reddit.com/r/japanresidents/s/WsIR0gptDA

Can you be fired for IBS: https://www.reddit.com/r/japanresidents/s/H3TGePQWMy

Resignation basics: https://www.reddit.com/r/japanresidents/s/40oWuD4f4S

Boss wants the bonus back: https://www.reddit.com/r/japanresidents/s/qvUDzJsSQX

Winning settlement after dismissal: https://www.reddit.com/r/japanlife/s/AqeuToGLlu

Office drama: https://www.reddit.com/r/japanresidents/s/TvBH20IQnz

Time stamps

00:00 how y’all doin

01:38 job hunting as a grad student

04:59 first job Sony then recruited by a startup

09:49 reporting illegal practices

15:10 worst interview 

23:42 forced medical leave

28:18 can you get fired for medical condition? 

35:04 proper resignation 

37:53 boss wants the bonus back

44:07 unfair dismissal + settlement

54:51 workplace drama

1:03:03 palate cleanser

What was traveling and living in Japan like before social media? Was any foreigner here just to spread religion? Who was the first native English teacher? Who was the first glazer? We shall find out all this and more in today’s episode, highlighting some early travelers in Japan that we’ve learned about through our own travels. 

Got questions or want to share your story? Send us an email at [email protected]

Host: Frankie - @franklinthewoman on all platforms

References/sources:

Hearn - https://www.hearn-museum-matsue.jp/english.html

https://apjjf.org/2014/12/38/roger-pulvers/4186/article

Rita Taketsuru - https://greatdrams.com/the-remarkable-tale-of-rita-cowan-taketsuru-the-mother-of-japanese-whisky/

https://www.nikkawhisky.eu/nikka-story/

https://www.japantimes.co.jp/community/2014/11/10/issues/foreign-wives-of-japan-offer-nhk-and-massan-criticism-and-kudos/

The real history of Yasuke, Japan’s first Black samurai

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/history/article/the-real-history-of-yasuke-japans-first-black-samurai

Assassin’s Creed Shadows- Who is Yasuke and why did the developers choose him?

https://automaton-media.com/en/news/assassins-creed-shadows-who-is-yasuke-and-why-did-the-developers-choose-him/#:~:text=The%20revelation%20that%20you%20will%20play%20as,characters%20being%20based%20on%20real%20historical%20figures.

New Ubisoft Game 'Assassin's Creed Shadows:' Why the Criticism?

https://japan-forward.com/new-ubisoft-game-assassins-creed-shadows-why-the-criticism/#:~:text=However%2C%20the%20game%20has%20encountered%20significant%20backlash,What%20exactly%20has%20upset%20the%20Japanese%20fans%3F

Isabella Bird and Her Travels in Nineteenth-Century Japan

https://www.nippon.com/en/japan-topics/g00829/#:~:text=Isabella%20Bird%20and%20Her%20Travels%20in%20Nineteenth-Century,Japan%2C%20carried%20by%20Bird%20on%20her%20travels.

Isabella Lucy Bird’s

Unbeaten Tracks

https://papersky.jp/en/isabella-bird/#:~:text=Unbeaten%20Tracks.%20The%20nineteenth%20century%20expedition%20of,few%20(if%20any)%20Westerners%20had%20set%20foot.

Ranald MacDonald

https://www.leechtownhistory.ca/viee-biographies/ranald-macdonald/

Ranald MacDonald (1824-1894)

https://www.oregonencyclopedia.org/articles/macdonald_ranald/#:~:text=*%20MacDonald%20left%20his%20job%20at%20the,had%20been%20isolated%20for%20two%20hundred%20years.

Time stamps

00:00 how y’all doin

03:39 Ranald Macdonald

08:46 Yasuke the African samurai 

21:11 Lafcadio Hearn

27:34 Isabella Bird 

37:50 Rita Taketsuru

*Spoilers in this episode!* Please finish all of season 2 before watching.

Is being foreigners in Japan our whole personality? I guess so. Stick around for silly stories (from us and you, the listeners) about work, dating, language learning, embarrassing moments, current events, deep dives on Japan-related topics we’re curious to learn more about. 

Got questions or want to share your story? Send us an email at [email protected]

Host: Frankie - @franklinthewoman on all platforms

00:00 how y’all doin

04:17 real yankis or just hosts there for clout?

13:08 S2 pt 2 cast

33:09 big fights/arguments 

43:13 confessions/final couples

49:43 fave and least faves

57:00 misuse of English words

58:56 the commentators

Ever wondered which part of Japan has crazy enough occurrences to be on par with “Florida Man”? Many would say it’s Saitama. Let’s check out some of the most bizarre headlines we’ve seen in Saitama news. And if you live in Saitama, are you okay?!

Got questions or want to share your story? Send us an email at [email protected]

Host: Frankie - @franklinthewoman on all platforms

References/sources:

Family of 3 slaughter in Saitama - https://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/14815543

https://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/14804706

https://japantoday.com/category/crime/suspect-set-to-be-indicted-for-killing-american-man-family-on-christmas-day-2022

Update: https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/03/17/japan/crime-legal/saitama-triple-murder-sentence/ 

https://japantoday.com/category/crime/saitama-police-continue-to-piece-together-man%E2%80%99s-naked-rampage-spanning-three-cities

https://japantoday.com/category/crime/saitama-women-arrested-for-dueling

https://japantoday.com/category/crime/speed-trap-camera-stolen-from-saitama-police-while-in-use 

https://japantoday.com/category/crime/saitama-man-repeatedly-steals-food-from-store-by-making-his-phone-say-paypay%E2%99%AB

https://japantoday.com/category/crime/saitama-man%E2%80%99s-%C2%A57-million-rolex-stolen-after-leaving-it-alone-with-%27potential-buyer%27-for-two-minutes

https://japantoday.com/category/crime/four-injured-after-brawl-in-saitama-family-restaurant

https://japantoday.com/category/crime/saitama-man-arrested-after-calling-telecom-provider-24-000-times-to-complain

https://japantoday.com/category/crime/video-of-man-spraying-liquid-on-conveyor-belt-sushi-leads-to-arrest-in-saitama

https://japantoday.com/category/crime/%27i%E2%80%99m-the-most-famous-thug-in-saitama%21%27-japanese-kids%E2%80%99-social-media-beef-leads-to-beating-arrests?comment-order=latest

https://japantoday.com/category/crime/4-men-arrested-on-charges-of-using-curry-spices-as-weapon-in-robbery-attempt

https://japantoday.com/category/crime/man-arrested-after-throwing-cup-of-urine-cup-at-student-in-saitama?comment-order=popular

https://japantoday.com/category/crime/saitama-police-chief-arrested-for-stealing-rolls-of-toilet-paper

https://japantoday.com/category/crime/saitama-policeman-scratches-cars-in-drunken-rage?comment-order=latest

https://japantoday.com/category/crime/mayor-of-saitama-town-arrested-for-punching-female-bar-employee

https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20190807/p2a/00m/0na/002000c 

https://japantoday.com/category/crime/saitama-police-officer-arrested-on-suspicion-of-filming-up-high-school-girl%E2%80%99s-skirt 

https://japantoday.com/category/crime/saitama-cop-arrested-for-indecent-acts-with-15-year-old-girls?comment-order=popular

https://www.tokyoreporter.com/japan-news/saitama-man-accused-of-crashing-fake-unmarked-police-car-during-drunken-joyride/

https://japantoday.com/category/national/apartment-in-saitama-explodes-following-bizarre-series-of-events

Time stamps

00:00 how y’all doin

06:06 update of Christmas family massacre 

09:37 insane Saitama headlines

39:41 police & politician crimes