I guess this isn’t surprising considering the economic recession and the easy money to be made doing this:

The once-despised profession of hostess is becoming a well-paid job to be proud of or even coveted in Japan. According to a poll of 1,154 high school girls by the Culture Studies Institute in Tokyo, out of 40 popular occupations, hostess ranked 12th, even ahead of public servant in 18th place and nurse at 22nd.

Behind the growing popularity of the profession is the lack of employment opportunities for young Japanese women after they graduate from high school. In the current recession, women from diverse backgrounds are willingly choosing hostessing. In Japan, such work can “easily pay $100,000 a year,” The New York Times reported.

Many aspiring hostesses hope it could be a road into the entertainment industry, following the Cinderella-like rise of Eri Momoka, a single mom who worked as a hostess before rising to the TV stardom. And ex-hostess Kazumi Ota became a politician and now serves as a member of parliament.  [Chosun Ilbo]

Keep in mind that this job market is becoming more competitive due to the Korean competition.