A Brochure on STI Prevention for Young People
- Admin
- 10月3日
- 読了時間: 3分
At PAPS, we created an informational leaflet on sexually transmitted infections (STIs) for young women in their teens and twenties who gather in downtown areas of Tokyo.
Up until now, many STI prevention leaflets have mainly focused on medical knowledge—such as symptoms, routes of transmission, and methods of testing and treatment. While that information is important, it does not address the deeper structural issue of why young people are unfairly forced to bear the burden of STI risks.
This time, PAPS is proposing a new approach. We deliberately highlight the slang term ‘oji’ (used by young people to refer to older men) to shed light on the structures of exploitation and sexual violence, such as prostitution and sexual coercion. At the heart of our leaflet is the message that the responsibility for STIs and unintended pregnancies should never be placed on young people, but rather on those who purchase sex—the perpetrators.
What is ’oji’?
‘Oji’ is a slang term that refers to exploitative figures—such as men who engage in child prostitution or adults who approach young people with the intent of buying sex. It is often used on social media or in everyday life, for example, when someone says, ‘I got a DM from an oji.’ Although the word may sound like a joke at first, it reflects the harsh reality of serious harm.
Some people may think that the term ‘oji’ simply refers to middle-aged men in general. However, the slang does not point to age itself—it specifically refers to perpetrators who approach young people for the purpose of child prostitution or sexual exploitation.
When adults who are not the intended target think, “Maybe this is about me”
If hearing the word “oji” makes someone feel uncomfortable or excluded, it reflects the deep-rooted structures of harm in our society. In reality, those who have nothing to feel guilty about should not feel that the word applies to them.
If this discomfort arises, it may be because society has not fully confronted the realities of child prostitution and sexual exploitation. Behind this lies a lack of awareness about the commodification of sex and a social structure in Japan that has long normalized and tolerated the act of buying sex. What feels like alienation may in fact be a defensive reaction when faced directly with the structures of exploitation.
At PAPS, we also discussed whether or not to use this term. However, we believe that avoiding the word “oji” would ultimately contribute to hiding the reality of sexual exploitation.
By deliberately bringing this slang into the conversation, we aim to make the structures of exploitation visible to society, using the everyday language of young people as a starting point. We sincerely ask for your understanding of this purpose and for your support of our efforts.
The responsibility belongs to the ‘oji’, not the youth.
It feels better without a condom.
Don’t worry, I’ll get you the morning-after pill.
These are all classic lines used by perpetrators.
In reality, it is mostly young women who are forced to carry the risks of sexually transmitted infections and unintended pregnancies. But the true responsibility lies with those who buy sex—the perpetrators. Ejaculation is the oji’s responsibility. The costs should be borne by the oji as well.
Making this clear is the first step to preventing harm and returning responsibility to where it truly belongs: society’s perpetrators.
It's not your fault.
You were forced into sex without giving consent.
You were denied contraception.
You were given money and subjected to sexual violence.
All of these are the other person’s responsibility—and many of them are criminal acts.
You never need to think, “Maybe it’s my fault.”
Even if you contract an STI or are left with the fear of pregnancy, remember: this is something you can talk about and seek help for.
Protecting Yourself from STIs
Condoms can greatly reduce the risk of sexually transmitted infections. But if someone insists on not using one, that person is a perpetrator who is prioritizing their own pleasure over your safety. The best prevention is to make such perpetrators visible and to recognize this as a social problem.
Through this new leaflet, PAPS calls for society to view STIs not just as a matter of “knowledge,” but as a social issue that must be addressed—one that includes child prostitution, prostitution, and all forms of sexual exploitation. We ask for your understanding and support in this effort.
This leaflet contains information we want as many people as possible to know. If you would like to adapt it by changing the QR code or URL, please feel free to contact us.
English
Japanese
We hope to share this message widely together with organizations and institutions that support our mission. We sincerely ask for your cooperation.