On a recent Friday night in the Kabukicho red-light district of Tokyo, blaring music and flashing disco lights signaled opening time for Cruise, one of a slew of host clubs that dot the vicinity.
No sooner had a customer arrived than she had her temperature taken and found herself escorted straight to the bathroom — where she was told to wash her hands and gargle — before being allowed to enjoy the company of her favorite host.
But then vigilance against the novel coronavirus fell away, the two beginning to snuggle on a leather sofa in apparent disregard for social distancing and prompting a gentle reminder from one of the managers supervising the floor that they needed to sit further apart.