Japan's top male host reportedly makes over S$526,000 in one month

Roland in money.

Melanie Lim | Nyi Nyi Thet | June 30, 2019, 06:49 PM

One unique aspect of Japanese culture is their host clubs, where men and women get to befriend and be entertained by "hosts".

Activities customers can take part in include drinking, flirting and engaging in conversations with hosts.

The amount of money a customer spends on a host determines how much money these hosts can make, so it's extremely important for hosts to be well-liked by their patrons.

King of the Hosts: Roland

Every once in a while, a "King of the Hosts" is crowned, indicating the male host who is most popular amongst women.

A 26-year-old man from Tokyo named Roland is the reigning king at this moment:

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- - 最近暑いから片耳かけてみた。 今や絶滅危惧種の金髪縦ロールがこちら。 - #ROLAND #耳かけ #縦ロール #20年振りの自撮り投稿

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- - 休日コーデ。 - #ROLAND #休日コーデ

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Quitting school and starting out

Roland first started working at host clubs when he was 18, just after he dropped out of a well-known Tokyo University.

He reportedly quit school because he could not imagine a future working in a corporation, for measly wages.

When Roland first started out as a host, he struggled to find patrons.

However, he never gave up and continued improving himself, gradually honing his personality and flirting skills.

He also went under the knife a lot of times.

Becoming Japan's highest paid host

Roland has come a long way from his years of struggling.

For his birthday in 2017, his patrons reportedly spent 10 million yen (S$125,380.89) on him in just three hours.

According to a 2018 Japan Today article, he was raking in as much as 42 million yen (S$526,599.72) a month by managing one of the most popular host clubs in Kabukicho, Tokyo.

To maintain his looks, Roland spends hours at the gym everyday and undergoes cosmetic procedures every month:

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- - 普段はタキシードで隠してるけど実は俺顔もカッコイイくせに脱いだら超セクシーな身体してるっていう罪な男なんです。 - 天は二物を与えないって言葉は凡人の嘆き。 なんなら俺三物ぐらい天に返したい気分だし。 - 誰か酔わせてお持ち帰りしてください安いお酒飲めないけど♡笑 - #ROLAND #ローランド #ホスト #training #stoic #天は二物を与えず #凡人の嘆き #天に三物ぐらい返したい笑

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He has reportedly spent 10 million yen (S$125,380.89) on cosmetic procedures like double eyelid surgery and nasal reshaping, and spends around 200,000 yen (S$2507.62) a month on maintenance.

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- - 王道とは - ROLANDが今まで歩いてきた道と、それからROLANDが今後歩く予定の道の総称。 - #俺の歩く道が王道 #ROLAND

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The high fees he spends on maintenance is considered a necessity by Roland, as he apparently saw his earnings double once he underwent the surgical procedures.

Screenshot via Vice

Mainstream success

Even though Roland might have earned a lot of money from simply working as a host, the past few years have given him a boost in terms of his income and mainstream appeal.

TV interviews and numerous articles have all propelled him towards even more fame and fortune.

According to Soranews, Roland now has his own (really tiny) S$662 hair product, a S$100 hangover cure, and even his very own museum exhibition.

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- - 自身が会長を務めております美容関連会社 ローランデール株式会社より 【THE BLACK】 【THE GOLD】 の2ラインのヘアケア商品を販売致します! - つきましては2月6日に新宿高島屋にて、販売イベントやらせて頂きます。 詳細は後日オフィシャルHPにて発表! - #THEBLACK #THEGOLD #ROLAND #実業家 #新宿高島屋 #ヘアケア #ローランデール株式会社

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Image from PR Times

Which of course, has plenty of merchandise.

Image from PR Times

Just another level now.

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- - 今月発売のナビーカーズに見開き6P載ってます! - 助手席乗りたいひとー? - #ROLAND #ROLLSROYCE #NAVICARS

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Top image courtesy of Roland_0fficial on Instagram