Japan is seeing a surge in public concern over so-called “Dubai projects” — work-related offers that lure Japanese women overseas with promises of high income, only to end in trauma, danger, or exploitation. Recently, a wave of women have begun speaking out about their experiences, revealing a dark underside to the glamorous image portrayed online.

In this article, we explore why so many women go to Dubai, what risks they face, and how Japan could address this growing problem.

1. The Appeal of Dubai: Easy Money and Luxury Life?

The recent depreciation of the Japanese yen has made foreign wages seem incredibly attractive. Recruiters often promise monthly incomes of ¥3 million or more for “modeling jobs,” VIP hospitality work, or private events.

What drives Japanese women to accept these offers?

  • Economic pressures at home: Stagnant wages, poor job security, and rising living costs make overseas jobs look more appealing than ever.
  • Social media glamor: Influencers post photos of luxury cars, five-star hotels, and desert parties in Dubai, fueling fantasies of instant wealth.
  • Cultural escape: Many women feel trapped in Japan’s rigid gender expectations. Working abroad can feel like a chance to gain independence.

2. The Hidden Dangers of “Dubai Projects”

Despite the glamorous promises, many women discover a very different reality after arriving.

A) Exploitation and Abuse

Numerous women have revealed being forced into sex work, having their passports confiscated, or being coerced into illegal labor. Some described being confined in luxury apartments with no freedom to leave.

Others found that payments were delayed or never arrived, and they were forced to perform work not included in the original contract.

B) Legal Vulnerability

In Dubai and many other Gulf nations, unauthorized labor—including sex work—is strictly illegal. Victims cannot easily go to the police, as doing so might lead to their own arrest or deportation. This legal trap leaves many completely helpless.

C) NDAs and Fear of Speaking Out

Victims are often pressured to sign non-disclosure agreements. Some are threatened with lawsuits or blackmail. This fear keeps many women silent—even after returning to Japan.

3. The “Taiyona Scandal” and Social Media’s Role

One of the turning points in the national conversation was the case of “Taiyona,” a popular influencer who became entangled in rumors of bizarre and degrading work in Dubai. While many of the extreme claims were never verified, the media storm revealed how easy it is for influencers to get involved in morally and legally grey zones overseas.

Following that incident, other women began coming forward, sometimes anonymously, to tell their side of the story. They confirmed that while some viral rumors were exaggerated, the underlying structure of abuse and deception is real.

4. A Pattern of Modern-Day Trafficking?

The situation bears a striking resemblance to the “karayuki-san” phenomenon of the Meiji era, when young Japanese women were sent overseas for sex work under deceptive contracts.

Today, the methods are digital—recruiters approach women through Instagram, Twitter, or private Telegram groups. The language has changed, but the underlying exploitation has not.

Worse, this phenomenon has expanded beyond Dubai. Japanese women are now being lured into similar “projects” in countries like Thailand, Cambodia, and Laos.

5. What Can Be Done? Solutions Japan Must Consider

To truly address this issue, Japan must act on multiple fronts:

A) Public Awareness

  • Launch campaigns to educate women about overseas job scams.
  • Include survivor testimonies (with privacy protection) to make risks relatable and real.
  • Teach media literacy so people can recognize red flags online.

B) Legal and Diplomatic Action

  • Strengthen Japanese laws to penalize recruiters and agencies involved in overseas exploitation.
  • Create bilateral agreements with countries like the UAE and Thailand to protect Japanese nationals working abroad.
  • Set up embassy-led reporting hotlines for women in danger overseas.

C) Economic Empowerment at Home

  • Offer better job opportunities in Japan for young women.
  • Increase access to training in digital, tech, or service industries.
  • Encourage female entrepreneurship and financial independence.

D) Support for Survivors

  • Establish confidential hotlines and counseling services.
  • Fund repatriation and reintegration programs.
  • Promote peer support networks where women can safely share experiences and rebuild their lives.

6. My Take: Empowerment Is Not Just About Choice

Many Japanese women who go to Dubai for work are not desperate victims, but people making active choices—seeking financial freedom or adventure. But when those choices are manipulated by deception, coercion, or violence, they stop being choices at all.

Japan must stop shaming women who fall into these traps. Instead, we should focus on fixing the systems—economic, legal, and social—that make these risks appealing in the first place.

If young women have safer, more rewarding options at home, the false glamor of overseas “projects” will lose its power.

Final Thoughts: Japan at a Crossroads

The growing attention to “Dubai projects” is a sign that Japanese society is finally starting to acknowledge a long-ignored problem. But attention alone is not enough.

Without systemic reform—both domestically and in how Japan protects its citizens abroad—more women will continue to fall into the same traps.

Let’s listen to those who have already spoken up. Let’s not let this moment pass without change.