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Rise of the 'mama-katsu'– women handing out favors to young men they meet on SNS

17 Comments

The character for katsu (activity) is generating a host of neologisms. Konkatsu means “marriage activity” – spouse-hunting. Papa-katsu is something some teenage girls do – offering themselves as companions, sexual or not, to older men in return for pocket money. Weekly Playboy (Dec 3) introduces a newer variant: mama-katsu. If young girls can do it, why not young boys?

A seasoned mama-katsu pro the magazine speaks to, a young man in his early 20s, seems evidence that a direct approach, nuance-free, is the key to an older woman’s heart. “I don’t have enough money,” he broadcasts on social media. “I’d like some help.” Responding are women in their 30s and 40s. Give the young man credit where it’s due. He aims to please. When one woman he’d yet to meet mentioned in her messages a partiality for 27-year-old actor-model Kentaro Sakaguchi, he promptly began his research. He saw some movies in which Sakaguchi appeared, studied the actor’s gestures and copied his hairstyle. Only then did he feel ready to meet the woman face to face.

It went well. Over dinner at an expensive restaurant (her treat), she talked, he listened. After an hour or so he ventured, “I like your earrings.” She removed one to show him. He stroked her ear.

It ended sexually, but it doesn’t always. One of his other “mamas” is ultra-generous with money and gifts, but draws the line at light kissing. It’s fine with him.  

What’s in it for mama? Company first and foremost, it seems. Conspicuous among them are childless divorcees and singles in their 40s, bar hostesses who now and then like to be receiving attention rather than giving it, and career women – one of whom, a modeling agency executive in her 50s, pays, says Playboy, up to 100,000 yen for “physical relations” with a boy young enough to be her son.

Why, the question naturally arises, wouldn’t she and others like her turn to host clubs, as they did as a matter of course before the rise of mama-katsu? One answer turns out to be an unexpected evolution within the hosting industry – a shying away from sex in favor of attentive, but non-sexual, companionship. And the reason for this? “It’s because,” says writer Ayumi Kawano, who has researched the issue, “many women have taken lately to photographing their bedroom adventures and posting them on social media.”

Hosts don’t need that kind of notoriety. “It drives their popularity down,” says Kawano.

Mama-katsu is not illegal – as long as the boy is of age, which means 18 or over. Otherwise, mama is liable to find herself imprisoned for up to five years, or fined up to 3 million yen, under laws pertaining to child prostitution. The boy will get off easier but not scot free. Playboy cites a recent case of a 17-year-old boy taken briefly into police custody and warned after allegedly posting on Twitter, “Two hours of talk in a café for 7,000 yen.”

© Japan Today

©2024 GPlusMedia Inc.

17 Comments
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I wish this had been around when I was 18!

11 ( +12 / -1 )

When I was younger, we called this cougar hunting. Fun for a little bit, but it becomes less fun quickly if you aren't materialistic or fall in love.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

I wish this had been around when I was 18!

you beat me to it

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Had plenty of those older babes when I was young. Never gave me a cent. Dang. A generation too late. Oh well.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

When I moved to Tokyo in the 70s was a trim young pro musician not bad looking living in Roppongi performing nightly with famous singers had women all around, some were older and very kind bless their souls. The ladies of Japan are its true diamonds.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

It’s good for young men to learn the ropes with older women. Getting paid for it is fantastic. Fill your boots lads.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

Depends on the woman she could teach a young man a lot

2 ( +3 / -1 )

On a more positive note, I hear that women over 70 find men in their 40s 'pretty attractive'! (is that really a 'more' positive note though!?...)

1 ( +1 / -0 )

When I moved to Tokyo in the 70s was a trim young pro musician not bad looking living in Roppongi performing nightly with famous singers had women all around, some were older and very kind bless their souls. The ladies of Japan are its true diamonds.

So true. I agree a hundred percent. My comment was about women in the U.S. When I first came to Japan, I found the women were very giving. In the States, they expected more to be given to. Also, during the Bubble the women here in the Tokyo area had good money and were willing to spend it on a guy. Great memories.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Q: What would a young woman who did the same thing be called?

A: Nothing complimentary.

Actually, A would be "papa-katsu", as the article mentions in the first paragraph.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Is there a female version of Oiraku no Koi?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Easily falls into degeneration. It’s easy to see how lonely people are. See them all the time. So sad. Weak families, long work hours. Mama-katsu is just one solution. It ends worse for others. I help them the best I can.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

lol toy boys in other words. Not exactly a new trend, perhaps in Japan it is.

Hey if your a young man in need of cash and have the goods then why not if you are not attached?

Still, the ultimate goal should be meeting a lady roughly your age, and perhaps, if so inclined, kiddies.

Not sure old women getting more sex will do much for Japans birth rate lol.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

That's why I love Japan.

I just wondering if this women are beautiful same as JAV mature women.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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