EDITORIAL - Reinvention

Former and prospective "Japayukis" have been taking to the streets in the past days, protesting a Japanese government decision to restrict the entry of foreign entertainers. The plan covers all foreign workers in Japan, but because Filipinos account for what could be the biggest group of foreign entertainers in that country, the protest is loudest in the Philippines. Many nightspots in Japan feature Filipino bands and other entertainers. The demand for Filipino performers in Japan even gave rise to schools in the Philippines that specialize in training prospective Japayukis.

Now Tokyo has put the brakes on the hiring of foreign entertainers. Instead of expending so much time and energy trying to persuade Tokyo to reverse its decision, Manila should simply focus on efforts to find other destinations for Filipino entertainers. At the same time, programs should be offered to give the entertainers new skills that can land them other jobs overseas. Most overseas performing artists or OPAs are young and can still reinvent themselves.

Reports said the new Japanese immigration rules would reduce the number of Filipino entertainers in that country to less than a tenth of the current 80,000. Even Japanese recruiters of foreign entertainers are warning that the move will adversely affect an estimated $2.4 billion in economic activities.

Tokyo decided to impose the new rules amid reports that many foreign entertainers ended up as sex workers in Japan. This is no exaggeration; the term "Japayuki" has taken on an unsavory connotation in the Philippines related to prostitution rings run by Japanese crime gangs. Filipino women have returned from Japan with stories of being forced into the flesh trade after being recruited as dancers or singers.

OPAs who have been protesting in recent days insist that those victims of abuse are the exception, and that there are many legitimate jobs in Japan’s entertainment industry. Even if Tokyo relents, however, the door to foreign entertainers in Japan is unlikely to be reopened as wide as in the past. Both OPAs and the Philippine government have to be prepared for this.