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On Trash Island
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Posted on Jun 01 2005
It used to be “Trash Island” in the late seventies. There was a declaration of war on trash. You even see a sticker on the governor’s license plate declaring “Trash.”
Recently, some Japanese business executives have renamed it “Prostitution Island.” The intent behind the Paseo De Marianas was instantly compromised into, yes, Paseo De Puta. The word “puta” means prostitute.
But even if the island is cleaned up to the hilt, it is woefully wrong to blame prostitution as the single pill that has discouraged Japanese tourists from visiting this tropical paradise.
Prostitution is everywhere, including Tokyo and Osaka, largely involving young, innocent women from South America and the Philippines. It is fueled by the promise of a decent job in grocery stores, only to find out that they must work as prostitutes. Most are mute for fear of repercussions.
The drop in Japanese visitor arrivals is attributable to Japan’s financial mess. It’s self-inflicted and far more complicated than meets the eye. It has neither a beginning nor an end, according to a recent article in The Economist. Hence, the definite pullout of Japan Airlines from the entire Pacific region.
And if I may reiterate, the next time Japanese business executives concoct a scapegoat to blame the drop in Japanese visitor arrivals, make sure your own backyards back home are immaculately clean! The flesh industry is everywhere and we all have our own share of it. Blame Japan’s financial mess and other collateral issues that have contributed to Japanese families exercising prudence in bad times.
John S. DelRosario, Jr.
Koblerville
