Photo/Illutration The “free information kiosk” set up to promote a cultural event at the Fukuoka Parco department store in Fukuoka’s Tenjin district drew heavy criticism. (From a press release provided by Fukuoka Parco)

FUKUOKA—Japan has largely tolerated public displays for sex-related businesses in red-light districts, but outrage erupted when a department store here imitated a sex-trade information booth to promote a cultural event.

Such booths, called “free information kiosks,” are common on the streets of entertainment areas, including Fukuoka’s Nakasu district.

Customers, usually men, use the kiosks to receive referrals to “fuzoku” (adult-entertainment) businesses, such as “kyabakura” (hostess clubs), girls bars and soaplands.

Along with business information, the insides of the booths feature racy pictures of women who are described as the “cast” who are “at work tonight.”

On the outside, the kiosks typically display catchlines and signs that promise “safe” and “quality” services.

Fukuoka Parco, a popular fashion department store located in the city’s Tenjin district, not far from Nakasu, was apparently inspired by the sex-related booths.

The store set up a replica of a free information kiosk at the entrance on the first floor.

Enclosed by walls on three sides, the kiosk featured eye-catching signs with such words as “free information kiosk,” “quality businesses” and “lots of information.”

But Parco was not arranging visits to massage parlors or other adult businesses.

The kiosk was part of an advertisement for an art and fashion event titled “Parco Kankaku” (Parco sensation), which opened on June 11 at the department store.

The exterior wall of Parco’s kiosk had a section that introduced participating artists with the seedily familiar, “Cast who are at work today.”

The inside of the booth showed images of women wearing only bras and panties. The printed phrases included: “No. 1 (girl) to take care of stimulus in this business,” “New sensory stimulation course available now” and “Ask for optional service.”

The event’s theme was indeed “senses and sensory,” but it was more about fashion, food and artwork than adult entertainment.

Customers, including those who attended the event, started calling and emailing the department store to complain. The criticism about the kiosk then spread on Twitter.

“It is affront to the artists,” some said on social media.

One of the participating artists withdrew from the event in protest.

Fukuoka Parco staff hurriedly removed the kiosk on the evening of June 14 after the store closed.

A representative of the store said its employees produced the kiosk with good intentions.

“Our store is close to Nakasu, and because of that, we intended to cheer up the community that was hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic,” the representative said. “We apologize that our production and expression made people who saw it feel uncomfortable.”

The cultural event will continue at the store until June 26, as scheduled.

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