### The Birth of Host Clubs - Cultural Development from Shinjuku Kabukicho and Nichome

### The Birth of Host Clubs - Cultural Development from Shinjuku Kabukicho and Nichome

#### Historical Background
In the late 1970s, Japan experienced a period of rapid economic growth and economic affluence, and the entertainment industry rapidly developed in urban areas. At the same time, traditional views of the family and gender roles were changing, and the number of single women and career women was increasing as women entered the workforce. Against this social backdrop, a new form of entertainment called host clubs emerged, centered in Kabukicho.

#### Origins of Host Clubs
The origin of the host club culture can be traced to the influence of entertainment provided by the male staff who operated in Shinjuku Nichome from the 1950s. Later, "Ai Honten," established in 1971, contributed greatly to the establishment of host club culture in Kabukicho. Ai Honten" adopted a format in which men entertained female customers, and this became the prototype for host clubs.

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#### Success and Influence of "Ai Honten
Takeshi Aida, the first manager of "Ai Honten," established a style in which the hosts entertained female customers with their own personalities, appearance, and talk, a departure from the traditional entertainment business. Hosts were treated as "princes of the night" and were expected to provide female customers with dreams and extraordinary experiences.

Takeshi Aida gave thorough training to his hosts, paying attention not only to their customer service skills but also to their appearance and behavior. Thanks to these efforts, "Ai Honten" quickly gained popularity, and many similar establishments opened in Kabukicho in the late 1970s.

--- Ai Honten

#### Changes in Female Customers and Social Significance
The reason for the popularity of host clubs was that an increasing number of women, who had achieved financial independence, sought entertainment that did not depend on men. In particular, for single women and career women, host clubs became a special place to escape the stresses of everyday life.

Host clubs were also closely associated with the women's liberation movement and the spread of sexual freedom at the time, and were symbolic of a space where women could enjoy themselves independently.

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#### Famous Hosts and the Development of Kabukicho
From the 1970s to the 1980s, many charismatic hosts were born. In particular, hosts such as Arata Fuyutsuki and Seiya, who were active at the "Ai Honten" restaurant, were featured on TV and in magazines, and the host profession became widely recognized.

During this period, Kabukicho became nationally known as "the town that never sleeps," and host clubs became a symbolic presence in the area.

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#### Problems and Criticisms
On the other hand, the rapid growth of host clubs was not without its shadow. Problems such as excessive customer service, overcharging, and underage use were criticized by society, and Kabukicho as a whole was sometimes associated with a negative image. There were also calls for the industry to be made more sound, such as by pointing out its ties to organized crime groups.

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#### Influence on the Modern Era
The host club culture is still firmly rooted in Kabukicho today as a symbol of the area. The success of "Ai Honten" and its charismatic hosts in the 1970s, which was its starting point, played a role in Japan's nighttime entertainment culture and influenced later types of businesses such as cabarets and girls' bars.

The birth of host clubs was not merely a development of entertainment, but also a phenomenon that symbolized changes in women's social status and consumer culture.