Filapinas work in Japan?

[Sunwolf]

Does anyone know about filapinas flying to Japan to work?  My filapina g/f has been to Japan twice in the past 1 1/2 years.  She says she goes there to make more money than she would in the Phils.  Her visa is only good for 6 months, so when it expires she goes home to await another visa and another trip to Japan.  Last time she worked in Tokyo at a place called 'Pub Jan Jan' as an 'entertainer'.  The way she explained it was she waited tables and sometimes sang (karioke, maybe?), but she didn't sell herself (a la hooker).  Now she's in a small city ouside of Osaka doing what?  I don't know yet.  If anyone IS acquainted with this odd work-exchange program, can you explain whether or not they are given free plane passage?  She claims to be poor, yet she has a cell phone and manages to fly back and forth.  The cell phone is a stretch, but PLANE tickets?  Anybody ever hear of such a thing?

Confusedly yours,
The Sunwolf.

[kevin]

... in response to Filapinas work in Japan?, posted by Sunwolf on Jan 9, 2002


This is the course of my pen-palship with my ex-wife.  It began with the impression that she wasn't desperate to escape poverty or aquire material things, but instead, as a woman seeking "Mr. Right".  Over the course of the months (I had other pen-pals at the time), we had a more in-depth, intellectual correspondence (and of course, I thought she was pretty).

She told me about her sister.  She married a Japanese guy, but he was a mean man because he beat her and drugged her with shabu.  They met while she was working in Japan.  I was told that she had a special skill for acting and singing and was offered a job as an entertainer.

That marriage ended with a divorce in less than a year supposedly solely because of the abuse.  The man was a millionaire and often travelled back and forth between Japan and the Philippines.  My ex's sister has a beautiful house in Cavite with marble floors.  The guy had the house built, and the cost was peanuts to him.  In the letter writing stage, I was told that the sister might have been abused because of her hot temper.

In the letter-writing stage, my ex expressed admiration for both Japanese and American stuff.  Japanese products were great.  The man lavished the family with some premium Japanese gadgets.

My ex used to express that it was not right what her sister did, instead of going for her education.  She supposedly did what she did for work because she didn't like school, was after material things, and suffered the consequences afterwards.

It turns out the sister took credit for being generous and helping the family (of course I never could or would measure up).  The fruits of her labor, huh.  No, other men's labor.  Well her money was used to help the mother in business ventures that failed.  The brothers also got a nice monthly allowance.  This particular money was likely even used to finance my ex's schooling.  I didn't realize that at the time.

The mother was (and could very well truly be) a saintly type of person.  I took for granted that she did not approve of what my ex's sister did and continued to do.  When I was in the Philippines, the mother was crying to me about the mess her daughter got into and was hoping that I was not like the Japanese ex-husband.

I also stayed at the sister's house at the beginning and ending of the trip.  At the time, I thought I was priveleged to not be involved with somebody extremely poor, and had places to stay in the Philippines, other than hotels.  I was dead wrong.  In hindsight, look at how such comfort was acquired.

My ex's sister also used a false ID with an alias in order to work in Japan, because of her age.  But that was dismissed as being "OK" and necessary.  She would work in Japan for 6 months at a time and then return to the Philippines.  Her "generous" Japanese male friends would follow.  She'd play cat-and-mouse sex games.  The game was fruitful.  The bottom line is the entire family accepted money and goods from these friends, and the sister took credit for being generous, unselfish and helping the family.  All this supposedly through the help of "Almighty God and the Savior Jesus Christ".  Well, true Christian doctrine does not endorse this kind of behavior.

More on this issue later.

- Kevin

[Paulv]

... in response to RED ALERT Part 2, posted by kevin on Jan 10, 2002

The faking of birth certificates in order for under age Filipinas to work in Japan is pretty common and encouraged by the recruiters, although illegal in Philippine law.

Philippine law says the girl has to be 18 before she can legally go overseas to work, and needs written and notarized parental approval.  Both issues are routinely gotten around by a little document fixing.  If a girl has had to have fake papers to work in Japan, it means she was going there underage.

Paulv

[greg]

... in response to RED ALERT Part 2, posted by kevin on Jan 10, 2002

I enjoy reading your stories, you need to keep Planet-Love busy with your Posts hehehe; keep them coming, very exciting to read(plus educational, we need to learn as much as possible about the Pinays and their culture) :-) greg

[Carrisse]

... in response to Filapinas work in Japan?, posted by Sunwolf on Jan 9, 2002

is another word for prostitute.  Yeah, the girls will say that they just sing or dance and never sell themselves but we're not buying it.

I went to Japan to take a company sponsored seminar and that's where I knew that all the crap the girls are claiming are just that cow dung.  They are prostitute.

Beware.  Leave her or suffer.

[RED ALERT]

... in response to Filapinas work in Japan?, posted by Sunwolf on Jan 9, 2002

Sunwolf, can you still cancel your trip to the Philippines?  Perhaps you can find a way to salvage your plans and make the best of it.

Anyways, RUN FOR YOUR LIFE !!!!  Stay away from this girl.  I have personal experience about japioki issues.  My ex-wife's sister was a japioki.

It's a long story to go into details, but I'm at work so I can't say much.  To make a long story short, my ex was a "God fearing Catholic girl".  So was her japioki sister.

I think I idealized my ex before of not approving what her sister did.  I was wrong.  In the end, I was the vagabond that imported her to America and made her miserable because I didn't have any money.  While getting divorced, I got a letter from her sister in Japan, telling me how irresponsible, etc. I was because I "couldn't support" her sister.  Bull s**t!  That same woman in her letters would say "Pray Always".  I suppose the spelling was wrong because "Prey Always" would be more in line.

Well, after I was married, my ex did not seem to rebuke her sister's actions.  That bothered me.  The sister had many Japanese friends who were "generous".  If she wanted a TV, stereo, couch etc. she'd be friendly with the guys.  Supposedly she was conservative because she wouldn't have sex with any man that wasn't her husband.  However, she'd make promises of sex in exchange for material things.  When the persuer would expect her to let him have sex with her, she'd run and hide, or demand one more thing first.  It was like a cat-and-mouse game.

That lady (my ex's sister) is divorced (to a Japanese millionaire) and remarried (to a Japanese guy she doesn't love).  She remarried at the point in time my marriage hit the rocks.  In letters or on the phone, she'd complain that she was going to go crazy because she just did not have feelings of love for her husband, but she was getting old and wanted to have a baby.  In addition, her second husband was such a "kind man" and the family was very "generous".

The second husband and she lived with his parents.  They bought her whatever she desired (such as expensive, classy furniture), and that's why his family was "good".  But get this.  My ex became contemptful of my parents because they didn't lavish her with big ticket things like a new car and new furniture.  Well, my parents never did that for me or my brothers either.

Well, there's alot more I'd like to convey about my experience regarding the Japaoki issue from the start of my pen-palship with my ex (I was naive and ignorant) to the divorce and the subversive "moral" support my ex got from her sister.

Meanwhile,  STAY OUT OF TROUBLE!!!  END THIS RELATIONSHIP !!!

From my gut,

Kevin

[greg]

... in response to Re: Filapinas work in Japan?, posted by RED ALERT on Jan 10, 2002

Continue with your story whenever You got the time, thanks, greg

[Paul v]

... in response to Filapinas work in Japan?, posted by Sunwolf on Jan 9, 2002

She is what is comonly called a "Japauki" in the Phils.  The japanese heavily recruit Filipinas to work as "entertainers" in Japan and there is a whole industry of agencies in the Phils that recruit and arrange the visa and travel papers for it.

It is not respected, nor is it respectable to most Filipinos.  Most "good" Filipino families would rather their daughters killed themselves than become a Japauki.  However, I know a at least one case where a young Filipina was forced to work as a "japauki" by her mother, even though she begged on her knees in tears not to be forced to return to Japan.  She did return, beaten by her own family until she submitted.

Their plane fair is paid by the agency or employer.  Typically, when they arrive, their passport is taken from them so that they cannot leave until they have fulfilled their contract.  The pay is quite low by Japanese standards, which is one, of many, reasons why few Japanese girls will take that work, but the pay is quite high compared to what the girls can usually earn in the Phils. The hours are usually very long, 7 days a week, no vacations, and many, many of the girls are seriously abused. Very seriously abused.

A Filipina will be doing very well to bring home $3,000 - $4,000 after her six month contract is up.  Peanuts for what she has given of herself, but an enormous sum for a starving Filipino family or a Filipina hungry for things like a cell phone, gold jewlery, a walkman, or some "fashion" clothes and makeup.

It comes very close to slavery at times, and it strictly illegal in Japanese law, but, like everything in Asia, is routinely winked at and ignored by Japanese Police since it involves "gaijin" who they consider a lower form of human to themselves and therefore, not really deserving full protection under the law, and of course, well placed "baksheesh" or "put" in Filipino terms.

And Japanese Politicians and Police are often the best customers to the "japauki" bars!

Many times the girls are not paid at all, or paid a great deal less than they agreed to.  Many, many of the Filipinas have just "disappeared".  Japanese Police never bother to investigate these disappearances and always give some stupid excuse such as, she fell in love with some Japanese boy and ran away.  The ones they have found floating in the river or bay are ALWAYS called suicides, even when they are horribly beaten to death.

There is a Filipina Agency, I forget the name, that maintains an office in Tokyo just for the purpose of trying to assist and console abused and cheated "japauki".  You can find out about it in the CFO manual and on the internet.

I am not making this up, and if you do some research on the internet, you will find ample information about it.  Also, girls from other countries, even US girls, lured by high bucks as "entertainers" have suffered the same fate.  AWs and blond Europeans fetch the highest prices, and therefore are often paid better and treated better.  But often not.

Many asian-pacific countries that cater to Japanese tourism also employ Filipinas, although conditions are worse and pay is worse.  However, the chance of being killed is probably less.  

Some places where you can find many bars and karaoke joints that use "japaukis" or "GRO" which is short for GUEST RELATIONS OFFICER are: Northern Marianas Islands such as Saipan, Guam, Singapore, and Hong Kong. Guam and Saipan are, believe it or not, US territories that have their own internal constitution and legal system, but are under the protection and control of the US government and whose citizens, who are almost never "japauki", carry US passports.  The US subsisdizes their economies with your tax dollars.

Hey, you wanted your tax dollars well spent, now didn't you!

Also, Guam and Northern Marianas employ many Filipinos in horrible clothing factories at very low wages since clothing made there can legaly be labled, yes, you guessed it, MADE IN USA.  Don't you just love lawyers and politicians and the marvelous ways they have of screwing people.  Minimum wage laws in Guam and NM Islands are set locally, not by US law, and are, ostensibly, about $1.60 / hr, but in practice, much, much less. And hardly anyone is EVER paid more than the minimum. There is no real enforcment of any labor laws -- unless you are a citizen of Guam or NM.

The Bad Part: I have met many Japanese and Filipinas who are quite familiar with the "Japauki" business.  I know of NONE who were not quite CLEAR that it is really prostitution in one form or another.  Some hard core, some soft-core.  Basically, the Philippine government had to pass a whole lot of laws concerning this practice, including a provision that a prospective "entertainer" actually have some performing talent.  In actualy practice, these laws are routinely ignored, or skirted through bs.  Just about every Filipina born can sing some, enough to "prove" she is really an "entertainer".  

I personally know of no cases where the girl actually was a simple entertainer.  About the best it gets is that they MERELY sit on customer laps in a bar and let themselves be fondled in a pretty trashy manner.

While AW feminist political groups scream that asian women are being "bought" and "brough" to the US for prostitution and slavery, a pretty rare practice and one usually brought about by other recent immigrant asians, not long standing American citizens, the Japanese practice this on a massive scale and unbelievably blatantly.  Comfort women are NOT a thing of the past!  Nevertheless, we still flock to buy Japanese cars and other products and treat them as if they are wonderfully law abiding, democratic and "civilized" in a truly western sense of the meaning.

No wonder most other asian HATE the Japanese!

Unfortunately, improvishment has forced other asian countries to shelve their pride and sense and give in the this exploitation.  As the Japanese women have matured and rebelled against a virtual slave-like existence, Japanese men have been turning in droves to use and marry other asian women.  But even those Filipinas who are "lucky" enough to be treated with the "dignity" of becoming a wife to a Japanese citizen would far rather have an American/European husband.  It just boils down to bucks and opportunity.  A Japanese husband has money, and probably will treat her just a tad bit better than a Filipino husband typically does.

I know I will get flamed for this, but I am just telling you what I have come to learn and understand from my many trips to the Phils and many, many acquaintances and friends there, in the US, and in other asian countries.

I turned to the PI to find a wife for many reasons, including having a much better chance of having a permanent, honest, caring, supportive marriage than I could see finding in the US.  I also simply adore asian beauty!  But the one thing I did not go there for was to find a wife I could treat as a slave or passive inferior who would not or could not resist abuse.  Anyone who goes to asia looking for romance with that in mind should be shot like a mangy, rabid dog in the street.

Many, many Filipinos go overseas to work in legitimate jobs and they toil very hard in very poor conditions for very little money in order to feed their families and I, as a citizen of the world, am proud of them.  I hope their efforts pay off and that their working conditions and pay will improve.

It's unfortunate that this kind of exploitation is allowed, but it's a lot better than being a prostitute in a foreign land.  I am no "PollyAnna" and believe the world's oldest profession will always be with us, but it is a far different thing to be a prostitute in your own country, among your own people, than to be shipped overseas and held in near slavery among strangers.

There may well be a few, true, "entertainers" going to Japan, and I don't want to make anyone feel their girl is lying and working in a dirty business without a fair hearing.  I think you should diligently check the history and background any Filipina who has worked in Japan, unless of course, the "japauki" type is just exactly what you are looking for.

My own fiancee was approached by recruiters for this kind of work and promised that "a beauty like you" could make the big bucks there.  They NEVER asked if she had any kind of entertainment talent!  A japauki acquaintance of hers actually told her that she could land a well heeled Japanese man and score on the real money if she would quit me.  "Way waste your looks on an American or Australian who has no money, when you can get a really loaded Jap", to accurately paraphrase what was said.  Well, my girl told her where she could stick that idea!  And I can support my girl just find, thank you very much.

I, personally, could NEVER feel trust in a Filipina who had been to Japan, unless she could prove to me that is was legitmate business, as in she worked for a large company that sent her there, or she had money (there are wealthy Filipinos) and she was a tourist. But if she was an average Filipina like most I've met and had been to Japan, well, I would walk the other direction pretty fast.

To paraphrase a good friend who lives in the Phils and has been married to one for quite a while, "once a Filipina has crossed that line and sold herself, she will always be a commodity available to the highest bidder"!

My thoughts are my own, subject to revision and criticism.  And in the final tabulation of votes, I just may be one more blithering idiot.  So take this as you please.

Paulv

[buzzy]

... in response to Japaukis  READ THIS ! VERY IMPORTANT, posted by Paul v on Jan 10, 2002

I agree with your comments.  The world industry of organized crime for prostitution is horrific; Money and pleasure and power and hardness of the human spirit.

[Dave H]

... in response to Japaukis  READ THIS ! VERY IMPORTANT, posted by Paul v on Jan 10, 2002

N/T

[Allan]

... in response to Japaukis  READ THIS ! VERY IMPORTANT, posted by Paul v on Jan 10, 2002

Very good and informative post.

I remember seeing a tv program about this and it was very depressing.  A friend of mine married a Filipina.  He was showing me pictures of he and his wife, and another Filipina who was quite attractive.  I asked him about the other Filipina and he innocently told me about what a great dancer she was of traditional Philippine dances.  He then proceeded to tell me that she was leaving to be an "entertainer" in Saipan.  Being that she was a friend I suggested as delicately as possible that she may not be sent there for her dancing skills.  He resisted the suggestion, emphasizing that she was truly a professional dancer and that is all she would be doing.  I didn't press the issue.  While I have no doubt that she is an excellent dancer, I don't think there is much of a market in Saipan for tourists to watch traditional Philippine dances.  My friend and his wife were no longer in contact with her.  I can't help thinking she ended up just the way you described.

[Paulv]

... in response to Re: Japaukis  READ THIS ! VERY IMPORTANT, posted by Allan on Jan 10, 2002

Allan,

I have been to Saipan, last time just a few years ago.  I checked out all the goings on there, the clubs, the karaoke bars, the clubs where you can blast away with M-16s and Ak-47s to your hearts content at full auto.  I never saw anyplace that featured any kind of theatrical dancing, especially Traditional Philippine Dances.

What I did see a lot of was strip club type girly-bars where the girls parade around and do the typical shake-your-booty stuff until some fat Japanese grabed her to his table, fondled her while getting trash-drunk and then probably took her back to his hotel room.  The girl gets about $12-15 dollars for her part, plus tips if the guy's got a generous heart.

The Karaoke bars are about the same, except a little more civilized.  The girls don't have to parade their charms in full view, they line up in a back room and wait for the customer to make his pick, or more likely, picks (plural) and then goes off to a private "karaoke" room with her "gentleman caller".  They may actually do some singing, as the Japanese are into that karaoke stuff.

So if your friend's sister-in-law did go to Saipan she either ended up there, or sewing clothes for $3.00 per day.

Let's hope it was sewing clothes.

Paulv

[Jeff S]

... in response to Japaukis  READ THIS ! VERY IMPORTANT, posted by Paul v on Jan 10, 2002

There are many, many "hostess" bars in Japan that while certainly exploitive of women do not keep them in virtual sex slavery. They're simply very friendly waitresses that pour drinks, light cigarettes, and engage in friendly banter. Of course, they're expected to put up with a certain amount of groping, as well, but they're not hookers in the classic sense. I realize that there are prostitutes, and these are often women from other Asian countries. My point is just because she works in Japan, doesn't necessarily mean she makes her living on her back with her feet in the air. One thing you can bet, though, she's not a sweet innocent thing - she's willing to stoop pretty low chasing that almighty yen.

[Paulv]

... in response to Not all bar girls are hookers in Japan, posted by Jeff S on Jan 10, 2002

I did point out that there are some like this, but really very, very few.  I have the word of former Japanese bar owners and many others who have spent a lot of time in Japan on this.

All Filipino OCWs (Overseas Contract Workers) work the standard 1 year contract, except, in some cases, seamen, and the japaukis or bar-girls. Why?  Because the the bar owners want to be able to get rid of a worn out girl, or a non-cooperative girl fast.

There are not very many non-cooperative girls.  They either get sent back to the Phils ... or end up in the water, face down.

This is a horrible nasty business and hardly anyone does it better or meaner than the Japanese and the whole world ought to be aware of it and hold the Japanese accountable for it.  This should be front-page news everyday.

Paulv

[greg]

... in response to Japaukis  READ THIS ! VERY IMPORTANT, posted by Paul v on Jan 10, 2002

PaulV, what a wonderful educational post, thanks for sharing. BTW, a sad and eye opener post. Some people are so Evil that it's unbelievable, especially ungodly people. greg