by Megumi Shishido
When we hear the word “hostess,” I think most of us will not have a very good impression. It’s because the work is seen as a dark role. Many Filipinas come to Japan for living and sending money to their families and are working as hostesses. Before, they came to Japan on entertainment visas which show that they were singers or dancers. However, the immigration inspection was made a strict because the Department of State had criticized a “Philippine pub” in Japan in 2004. Coming to Japan on entertainment visas dropped and fake marriages are increasing. The way is illegal. For example, a Filipina met a Japanese broker and contracted him to work at the monthly income of 80,000 yen for two years. She did fake marriages with a Japanese man. She began to work as a hostess, the broker made up a pretext for a quarrel and deducted from her salary in advance. However, Filipinas want jobs in Japan because wages of Japan is higher than these of the Philippines.
What do we think this problem? I think about happiness for Filipina. Filipina don’t have enough money to care for her family and can’t get the money in the Philippines. However, brokers should be suppressed and we should choose legal ways. Then, we should start the other visa for the entertainment visa. The idea is at first and we mentioned in class. However, I doubt the realizability, especially the side of money. Second idea may be an extreme argument. The biggest problems are economic difficulties and internal gap in Philippine. These will spread by globalization. If the world didn’t globalize, these would not spread and Filipinos would not feel much economic difficulties. I think that it is trouble that problems which had been internal spread over abroad. So, people in Philippine should look at internal things and forget the globalization.
I can’t understand Filipinas as hostesses enough because I haven’t worked as hostesses and am cared. The gap is intolerable. I hope they can live to pursue happiness.
References
Sankei News. “Ex-representative had been wanted internationally of NPO was arrested on suspicion of employing Filipinas who have short-term visa.” [http://sankei.jp.msn.com/affairs/news/120517/crm12051712400009-n1.htm] 2012.5.17
Sankei News. “A 29 years old Filipina forced a joint suicide because of night work, child rearing, etc.” [http://news.livedoor.com/article/detail/6490672/] 2012.4.21
Kobe Shinbun. “It becomes difficult for Filipinos to get entertainment visas. Fake marriages are increasing.” [http://www.kobe-np.co.jp/news/shakai/0004977547.shtml]
Shakai Jitsujo- Data Zuroku. “The Internal local gap of Asian countries” [http://www2.ttcn.ne.jp/honkawa/8400.html] 2004.8.3
JAPANsociology 
You’ve got pretty good good grasp of the English language, nice article too. Thanks for sharing your sentiments and concern for my hapless countrymen. ^_^
Not all Filipino women are working as hostess or club dancers in Japan.
Most Filipinos have bachelors degrees especially those younger generations.
The “hostess” or “Japayuki”, a term which is known as counter part of Japan’s “karayuki” era have long gone since 2010s. But not denying the fact that Japayukis era boomed in 1990s. Let me share the point of view here. Japayukis (a term which Filipinos used to refer to women working in Japan as enterainer), have a history how it all began as they were refered to as Japayuki or hostess. Before, they only work as entertainers, the ones who are only working as waitresd, dancers and singers. But unfortunately, as club businesses become larger and larger, a certain mafia began exploiting this field. Those mafias, Japanese refer to as Yakuzas. Some customers whom other suspected as yakuzas began taking out women and get them start to work not only as an entertainer but also an undertable worker,sidelining for one night stands in exchange of large sum of money. No differ from hostesses which Filipinos look down as big no no in their own country. That’s how it all started. Most clubs in mid to late 90s were run by yakuzas. It was said that they exploit and traffked women by recruiting Filipinas, making them sign a contract with huge allowances but in turn, they only give half of what was promised. Even Filipino community did not tolerate this scheme.
Now adays, Filipinos work not as hostess but in delicate tough jobs of their perspective fields like medical, factories, business companies.. The only problem is their opportunity to stay longer legally in Japan because Alien visa have very limited time allowed for foreigners to stay in Japan. Another problem is the language barrier. Though many Filipinos had passed the Japanese Language Proficiency Test, some companies does not entertain foreigners who are not fluent in Japanese. Only 50-60% Filipinos are lucky enough to have decent jobs in companies.
The hostess thing is also a problem in the Philippines that they want to give an end. That is why only a few are allowed to travel in Japan even if you have legal documents. The only ticket they get is that sham marriage. Which is also a big problem at the Immigration. They cant say no to legally married couples.
We should not stereotype Filipino women. My mother is not a hostess and my father is a Japanese. Most Filipinos have abilities and skills, it is just that they have less opportunities and chances because Japan only have limited opportunities offered to foreigners.