I often see ads on Twitter and other social media saying that relationship clubs are suitable for papa-katsu (compensated dating in Japan), but since a past answer stated that “90% of the men come looking for a mistress,” wouldn’t it be more accurate to describe them as places for people seeking an ongoing mistress arrangement rather than papa-katsu?

Maezawa from the Corporate Planning Office here as well. “Papa-katsu” was originally a term that Universe was the first in the world to use in advertising. At the time, no one had registered it as a trademark, so there was even an incident where our application was rejected. Since Universe—the company that first popularized the term “papa-katsu” worldwide—used it to refer to women looking for a papa (a male supporter) through a dating club, registering with Universe is, in essence, papa-katsu. I don’t think there’s any need to mention mistresses or anything like that.

I’m だて◎ゆめ, a male member. It may be better not to overemphasize papa-katsu (compensated dating in Japan), though it could make publicizing the service easier. Dating clubs can accommodate both papa-katsu and mistress arrangements. If you put it that way, though, it may lack impact. “Papa-katsu” may be just the right term because it sounds fairly casual. When I talk with younger people, I get the impression that they do understand what dating clubs are. Compared with Universe, I feel the current salon may be operating with a greater emphasis on mistress arrangements. > Given the current situation, where few women choose Type A, I feel that simply increasing the number of women who aren’t prepared for what men expect would only lead to more problems, such as dating-type fraud and other troubles. Personally, I don’t need Type A, so I have no problem with the number of Type A women increasing. The issue is Type B. I think the best approach is to proceed with the understanding that there will always be some women who misrepresent their dating type. I do wish women would stop choosing Type B based on sneaky or penny-pinching motives. I’d rather they work honestly at an izakaya or somewhere similar.

I’m Saito, a column writer♪ I believe the term “papa-katsu (compensated dating in Japan)” itself was coined by the president of Universe Club, so I don’t think there’s any problem with equating papa-katsu with dating clubs. There are also people who met through Universe Club and went on to get married. Since people’s situations vary, I don’t think it’s necessary to go out of our way to define it too narrowly...