In responding to SCAP’s orders, Japanese bureaucrats revealed a rare and unusually fine appreciation of human rights. In December 1946, the Home Ministry declared that women had the right to become prostitutes, and this became the ostensible rationale behind designating “red-line” districts in which it was understood by all parties that they would continue to ply their trade. (The “red-line” designation came from markings on the city maps used by the police; in areas outlined in blue, such activity was not allowed).
