This article reports that, beginning in April, it will be illegal for businesses in downtown Kumamoto to try to solicit passersby individually. My understanding is that this is focused on seedy bars that try to lure people in and then charge them exorbitant rates. It’s OK for someone to stand in front of a shop and yell out “irasshai!” and describe a sale that’s going on so that anyone within earshot can hear. What’s not OK is for someone to target you individually and try to convince you to come in. It’s also illegal for them to try to offer you a job if their only reason for choosing you is that you happened to walk by. So, if someone try’s to convince you to step inside for a drink or something, you should know that they not only seem to be sleazy, but that what they are doing is actually illegal.
– Kirk
