US, June 5 -- A growing public backlash against foreign sex tourism in Japan is reigniting debate over the country's complex and often contradictory approach to the sex industry. What began as concern over the visibility of foreign men seeking sexual services in Tokyo's entertainment districts has evolved into a broader national conversation about exploitation, women's rights, immigration, tourism, and the limits of existing laws.

Japan is experiencing a tourism boom. Record numbers of international visitors, attracted by a weak yen and the country's reputation for safety, culture and hospitality, have helped drive economic growth. Yet alongside traditional tourism, a less-publicized segment of the visitor economy has also expanded: adu...