"Abolition of Asakusa and Shinsekai red lines, March 1957."

"Abolition of Asakusa and Shinsekai red lines, March 1957."

On March 31, 1957, the red-light district of Asakusa, Tokyo, and Shinsekai, Osaka, were at a historic turning point in their unique mixture of heat and quiet. The major event of the abolition of the Red Line was to shake the fate of the women who had long lived in the area. On this day, KUAYAN visited Asakusa and faced the prostitutes who gathered there, listening to their anxieties and hopes.

Background of the Abolition of the Red Line
In postwar Japan, under the influence of the democratization policy of the General Headquarters of the Allied Forces (GHQ), the red-light system was regarded as a symbol of violation of women's human rights and was criticized both at home and abroad. The public prostitution system was officially abolished on March 31, 1958.

However, the red-light district supported the city's economy, and there were serious concerns about the effects of the abolition in areas such as Asakusa and Shinsekai. In response, local governments and residents sought measures to deal with the situation, but these measures lacked specificity.

Dialogue between Quayan and prostitutes
Upon landing in Asakusa, KUAYAN spoke directly with prostitutes, experiencing firsthand the tension that enveloped the city. One woman told him, "I don't know that abolition is the right thing to do. I know that abolition is the right thing to do. But I don't know what to do with my life. Quayan was deeply moved by these words and felt strongly that "concrete support is needed if the abolition of the red line is to be a new starting point for these women.

In Shinsekai, Osaka, local merchants and welfare organizations had begun to accept prostitutes as store employees. After seeing this effort, Quayan decided that such support should be extended on a national scale and suggested that it be expanded to other areas.

After the Abolition of the Red Line
Even after the abolition of the red line, some illicit prostitution continued secretly in Asakusa and Shinsekai, and the situation was not completely resolved. In response, Quayan said, "The elimination of the red-light system alone will not eliminate exploitation. It is necessary to change the consciousness of society as a whole. He documented the impact of the abolition and the voices of women, and wrote a book based on them. In his book, he specifically cited examples from Asakusa and Shinsegae to show the conditions under which women can create a new life for themselves.

Conclusion
The abolition of the red light rail line symbolized a shift in values in postwar Japan, but the effects of this change were not straightforward. KUAYAN's activities played an important role in shining a light on the realities of the socially vulnerable and in conveying their voices to the future. The day of the abolition of the red line in Asakusa and Shinsekai is not just an act of history, but continues to mark the stories and struggles of the people who lived there.