I’m a male member.

I’m Mack, a columnist. This is my first time answering a question—nice to meet you m(_ _)m The biggest difference, whether you’re talking about men or women, is probably the belief that “this isn’t sex work,” isn’t it? Maybe it’s pride. Perhaps it’s similar to brands. A ¥1,000 watch and a luxury watch both serve the same purpose: telling the time. Yet for some reason, people assign them different values. So perhaps it comes down to personal satisfaction. Objectively speaking, I think it’s difficult to describe the distinction. In other words, the fundamental value of a dating club lies in the fact that it claims, “This isn’t sex work.” Just as no one asks why a Hermès Birkin is so expensive, perhaps the day will come when no one asks questions like this anymore.

I’m Saito, a columnist♪ > Throwing around legal arguments before it’s even become a dispute is nothing more than a bluff often used by lawyers who can’t get clients or by shallow people who’ve only dabbled in the law. If it actually turned into a dispute, wouldn’t people be up in arms calling it a compliance violation? lol

I’m Joe, a columnist. What I’m about to write isn’t backed by any objective evidence, but this was such an interesting question that I’m taking the liberty of answering it. As you pointed out, I think one of the biggest differences from the adult entertainment industry is whether or not you have the right to say no. A woman I met through the club who had experience in that industry—she was Type D, by the way—once said, “It’s a relief knowing I can say no when it comes down to it” (laughs). Yoshiwara in the Edo period was a government-authorized pleasure district, but its strict customs led to its decline toward the end of the shogunate. What’s more, apparently once a man became a regular with a particular woman, he wasn’t allowed to switch to someone else unless he obtained her permission or she left the profession. Even Joe finds himself thinking, “Really!?” when it gets to that point, but at least at Universe Club, you’re free to switch partners, which is nice (or am I mistaken?〕 In any case, I hope all our dear male members will enjoy women’s right to refuse, just like the high-ranking samurai and wealthy merchants of the Edo period. Rather than immediately making a fuss about it being a dating-type scam, it would be nice to have the composure to quietly mutter to yourself, “Who do you think you are, a courtesan of Yoshiwara?!” I’ll admit, Joe himself isn’t very good at that either. And to all our beautiful female members: don’t hesitate to exercise your right to refuse. You’re courtesans of Yoshiwara, after all. That said, Joe himself is about to spend some time with his favorite girl. Pardon me.

I’m Date◎Yume, a male member. That’s a good question. In my opinion, the key point is that it’s “not a business or a job.” With that in mind, it becomes easier to explain things like: ◎ The woman can judge and choose her partner (〇〇 with the right to refuse) ◎ The amount isn’t fixed (〇〇 with a variable payment system) ◎ It involves simulated romance (an image-based 〇〇) In other words, it’s a relationship between a man and a woman that isn’t bound by conventional social norms. So how about saying that it isn’t the sex industry? I’ve put together a rough draft to start with（笑） I look forward to hearing what the other respondents think. Best regards.