The new venue’s pricing is “?”

I’m Saito, a column writer♪ I’m sorry to say this, but I agree with the questioner’s opinion. I still don’t know what form the new venue will take, but rather than thinking, “Maybe male members will come if we make it this good…” I hope they create a venue valuable enough that people would want to meet someone or go there even if it meant paying ¥X million. (That’s where their true ability to attract women will be tested—but I also question men who casually spread information about what kind of women were there.) They’re not a credit card company, but I’d like to see them offer free annual membership to low-income members while charging tens of thousands of yen in annual fees to those who spend hundreds of millions. Of course, those members wouldn’t use low-level concierge or other ancillary services. I hope they can firmly attract men who are that emotionally detached—and I think the women want that, too.

Mamiya here, and I’m answering as someone who’s interested in the new location. I also wondered, “Isn’t this way too cheap?!” Couldn’t they charge an enrollment fee of 300,000 yen or more?! That said, perhaps they don’t want people to feel like there are only risks involved—with strict screening, high fees, and no guarantee that you’ll actually meet truly wonderful women. Once the club becomes better known and develops a steady flow of members, I imagine higher-tier classes may be introduced as well. Maybe it’s part of the concept, but lately I’ve started to wonder whether truly wonderful women can really be ranked into higher or lower classes at all. I once received feedback from a man who had gone on a date with a Standard-class woman saying, “The interviewer’s judgment was unbelievably poor. She was obviously Platinum-class.” They’re so strict when judging others, yet they have absolutely no eye for it themselves. Since the new location aims even higher, I found myself daydreaming that it would be wonderful if it could become a place that offers the best possible matches for each member—and if the ultimate luxury could simply be perfected through simplicity.

Maezawa here. > It’s too cheap for me to feel like joining. Oh, that’s interesting. I had assumed that the pricing would normally be set according to what’s being offered. Even with luxury brands, it’s not simply that something is good because it’s expensive. The higher price comes with a corresponding level of quality and service, setting it apart from cheaply made products. That’s what makes it worth the price. On top of that, there’s the status of knowing that only a select few can afford to own it. That’s the kind of thing I had in mind, but apparently there are worlds where people simply don’t want to join because the price is too low. It’s a world I don’t really understand, but I suppose such a world exists. > At the very least, I’d like you to aim for a place with “100 to join, 20 per month, and 20 per introduction.” I think we had envisioned up to around 30 per month and 30 per introduction. Of course, that depends on whether we can find women who fit those terms... So if you’re saying you want us to aim for that, rest assured—we already are. > I’d like it to become a comfortable space for nouveau riche types. “Nouveau riche” makes it sound like we’re talking about people who suddenly became wealthy, but it would be nice if it became a comfortable space. > Just as an older regular at a soapland goes every day as part of his routine to look through the album, have a coffee, and chat with the staff—his only source of enjoyment— Oh, is that how it is? I had no idea. > I’d like it to become a daily gathering place for middle-aged men. > I want to buy that time and space. I’m not sure whether becoming a hangout is a good or bad thing, but I hope it becomes a place where people can have all kinds of conversations.