Sugar Dating Scandal: How Japan’s ‘Papa Play’ Is Turning Into a Social Crisis
![](https://contents-cdn.viewus.co.kr/image/2024/06/CP-2023-0086/image-296054c6-20fa-4da0-bec7-0dc15aabf7b8.jpeg)
Young women in Japan reportedly earn millions of yen per month from a popular part-time gig: hanging out with men their fathers’ age.
Known as “Papakatsu (Daddy Dating),” this money-making side hustle is becoming a social issue as it reportedly involves influential politicians.
On June 18, Abema Times interviewed Rika (25, pseudonym), who makes money from Papakatsu.
“I have been earning 5 million yen (approximately $44,000) per month by dating middle-aged men for the past two years,” she revealed.
Converting into an annual income, she earns about 60 million yen (approximately $530,000),
“I’ve met 30 ‘daddies’ so far, and I receive 30,000 to 150,000 yen (approximately $190 to $950) every time we meet. They also buy me home appliances,” she boasted.
![](https://contents-cdn.viewus.co.kr/image/2024/06/CP-2023-0086/image-44187773-30b8-42c8-8e0e-736da9a4c218.jpeg)
Rika added that men who hesitate to give money are unsuitable for Papakatsu. She confessed she doesn’t feel guilty about receiving money to fulfill a fantasy and provide a good time. She emphasized that the key to her job is to make them believe they’ve created a woman customized to their taste.
The investigation found that a significant number of men seeking Papakatsu are married. Last April, Hiroyuki Miyazawa, a four-term member of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, was found to have used Papakatsu and was forced to resign.
Papakatsu may even turn into a criminal offense. Mai Watanabe was found guilty of embezzling 155 million yen ($980,000) from men she matched with and was given a 9-year prison sentence and an 8 million yen ($50,700) fine.
Some victims gave Watanabe money, even canceling their life insurance, by trusting in the promise of marriage.
Most Commented