A 23-year-old Russian woman became intrigued with the idea of working as a hostess in Japan a few years ago after a friend returned home flush with cash from hostessing and opened a boutique.

"There are few job opportunities in my country," said the woman, now a hostess at a nightclub in the Kinshicho district in Tokyo's Sumida Ward. "I want to start up my own business (in Russia) like my friend."

The woman began hostessing two years ago and now earns 60,000 yen to 70,000 yen in basic monthly salary, plus tips from customers and commissions from the club. But there are also extracurricular activities that come with the turf.

"I don't like this job because (Japanese customers) do indecent things and talk about sex. If I go for a drive with a customer, I fear I might be taken to a strange place," she said. "It's very stressful."...the rest...