Introduction = 13
Chapter one : Research Design and Procedures = 15
Purpose of the research = 15
Methodologies = 15
Researchers and consultants = 17
Participants = 17
Data analysis = 18
Limitations = 19
Chapter two : Background to the Study = 21
Migration within and out of Thailand = 21
Thais as migrants in Japan = 22
Thais women in Japan = 25
Chapter three : The Lives of Thai Women before going to Japan = 27
Social and economic background of participants = 27
Sex work as a viable option = 28
Motives for taking up sex work = 30
Reasons for the decision to go to Japan = 34
Chapter four : Thai Women and the International Trafficking Network = 37
The network process = 37
The role of debt = 45
Knowledge about the trafficking network and the law = 46
Chapter five : Work and Life in Japan = 47
Type of job upon arrival in Japan = 47
Knowledge about the Type of job before going to Japan = 48
The debt = 49
Working conditions during the debt period = 52
Physical and psychologic violence = 55
Life after the debt has been paid = 58
Remittances = 61
Illegal status = 62
Health = 64
The Thai community in Japan = 67
The decision to return to Thailand = 68
Chapter six : The Return Home to the Village = 70
Status in the village = 72
Economic problems = 74
Lake of job opportunities = 76
Lake of skills = 77
Japanese partners and their children = 77
Health = 79
Chapter seven : Looking to the Future = 81
Future plans = 81
Successes in staying in the village = 82
The wish to return to Japan = 83
Chapter eight : Advise to Other Women thinking of going to Japan = 85
Chapter nine : Conclusions = 87
Chapter ten : Recommendations = 90
Measures in Thailand = 90
Measures in Japan = 91
International and non-governmental organizations = 92
Chapter one : Research Design and Procedures = 15
Purpose of the research = 15
Methodologies = 15
Researchers and consultants = 17
Participants = 17
Data analysis = 18
Limitations = 19
Chapter two : Background to the Study = 21
Migration within and out of Thailand = 21
Thais as migrants in Japan = 22
Thais women in Japan = 25
Chapter three : The Lives of Thai Women before going to Japan = 27
Social and economic background of participants = 27
Sex work as a viable option = 28
Motives for taking up sex work = 30
Reasons for the decision to go to Japan = 34
Chapter four : Thai Women and the International Trafficking Network = 37
The network process = 37
The role of debt = 45
Knowledge about the trafficking network and the law = 46
Chapter five : Work and Life in Japan = 47
Type of job upon arrival in Japan = 47
Knowledge about the Type of job before going to Japan = 48
The debt = 49
Working conditions during the debt period = 52
Physical and psychologic violence = 55
Life after the debt has been paid = 58
Remittances = 61
Illegal status = 62
Health = 64
The Thai community in Japan = 67
The decision to return to Thailand = 68
Chapter six : The Return Home to the Village = 70
Status in the village = 72
Economic problems = 74
Lake of job opportunities = 76
Lake of skills = 77
Japanese partners and their children = 77
Health = 79
Chapter seven : Looking to the Future = 81
Future plans = 81
Successes in staying in the village = 82
The wish to return to Japan = 83
Chapter eight : Advise to Other Women thinking of going to Japan = 85
Chapter nine : Conclusions = 87
Chapter ten : Recommendations = 90
Measures in Thailand = 90
Measures in Japan = 91
International and non-governmental organizations = 92