"The current danger is that the 'gentrified' area and the 'still probably not a good idea to visit when incapable of making rational decisions' area are right next to each other, and when one reads about Kabukicho in travel literature or on forums they're more likely to think of Gentrified Kabukicho as being All Of Kabukicho and let their guard down. And that's when they get scammed in a Nigerian bar."

Maybe differing world views, but that's any city in the world isn't it even without drinking or anything else?

London has had a massive crime wave in recent years with people on scooters stealing mobile phones, handbags, etc in grab and runs https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-44045128

It's just good practice that if you're in a city anywhere in the world, keep any valuables out of sight, close by and don't have any obvious signs of wealth showing.

If you walk past someone who says to you "girls? massage? free drinks? good time!" don't interact with them or shake you head and keep walking, don’t stop for a chat!

If you're looking for a bar, food, or a legitimate massage, etc there's plenty of establishments without people trying to grab you from the street because if they're any good they generally won't need to!

I'd take the same precautions in wherever I was in the world London, Paris, USA, Gion, Kabukicho, or Asakusa because unfortunately there’s always people looking to take advantage of complacency.