Japan is considering reforms in its current prostitution laws, specifically contemplating penalties for the clients who solicit these services. The aim is to curtail the demand side of the prostitution industry. Timeframes and precise details of the changes are yet to be unveiled. Discussions are ongoing, involving multiple stakeholders like lawmakers, NGOs, and human rights activists.

Prostitution has been a contentious issue in Japan. While selling sexual services is punishable by law, buying them is traditionally overlooked. The suggested changes aim at addressing the demand side to tackle the root cause. In Japan, the move has gathered public support as it shows a shift towards recognizing the social and psychological harms associated with the sex trade.

In contrast, in many US states and EU countries including Sweden, Norway and France, the 'Nordic Model' has been adopted. This model criminalizes the buyers of sexual services rather than the prostitutes, based on the understanding that prostitution is a form of exploitation. The current discussion in Japan is, thus, in alignment with this globally prevalent approach.