Happening indeed

“The ‘happening bars’ are popular because they are strictly managed and don’t allow information leaks.”

Psychologist Akitsugu Kuwasaki, explaining the most talked-about trend in the sex industry — bars where voyeurs observe steamy sex acts through one-way mirrors, that are proving especially popular with women viewers

These happening bars have apparently been around since the late 90’s, but a couple of years ago their numbers began skyrocketing. Tokyo alone now boasts at least 30 such establishments. Yet it’s only recently that they have come under the public spotlight, due to the arrest of famous male porn star Chocoball Mukai for indecent exposure. Mr. Mukai, whose first name is allegedly in reference to his ahem, chocolate coloured testicles, must presumably have been showing off his famous attributes when the police made their unexpected appearance.

Yet despite the obviously bawdy nature of such places, as the quote above confirms, these bars are surprisingly popular with women. Perhaps one reason is the strict security in place, and the assurance that there will be no information leaks. Although how that explains the unfortunate situation Mr. Mukai finds himself in I don’t know.

But chocoball’s arrest aside, a female doctor who admitted to frequenting such places said, “I feel I can let loose here…you can forget about your work while in such an unreal kind of place.”

I dare say you can!