Human trafficking between Thailand and Japan: Lessons in recruitment, transmit and control

Author: Jones, Loring; Engstrom, David; Hillard, Patricia & Sungakwan, Decha

Abstract: In this study, four women describe their experiences of human trafficking. The women were recruited in Thailand for sex work in Japan. The research sought to understand the dynamics of human trafficking from recruitment through transit and maintenance in the destination country. Content analysis was used to examine the women's stories to develop themes that described the dynamics of trafficking. The analysis revealed the following two dimensions of the victimised women's experiences: (i) vulnerability and strategies for recruitment; (ii) the methods used for transportation across borders. The implications of these findings for combating trafficking are described.

Keywords: human trafficking, Thailand, Japan, recruitment, transit, content analysis