I think maybe you're viewing hostesses from a decidedly western pov. I have lots of hostess friends or x-hostess friends. All but one of them saw it as a pleasant experience. They talked a lot and got paid very very well. They didn't have to put out and some of them gained amazing social skills that have helped them in their current careers. All of them (except 1) go back from time to time for extra cash.

My point being its not seedy to Japanese culture where as to westerners it's often associated with strippers. It's not or at least a large percentage of it is not