Police in four Japanese prefectures have raided "host clubs" that provide male companions to entertain female customers.
Allegations have been raised that some host clubs charge exorbitant prices and get their customers to run up debts. Some of the women are reportedly then forced to work in the sex industry to repay their debts.
Last month, the National Police Agency instructed prefectural police headquarters to crack down on such illegal practices.
On Friday night, prefectural police in Tokyo, Hokkaido, Osaka and Aichi conducted onsite inspections of host clubs in their entertainment districts in a bid to assess the situation.
In Tokyo's Kabukicho district, which has around 300 host clubs, 130 police officers took part in raids to verify that facilities were being run properly and in accordance with their filed regulatory reports.
The National Police Agency says such inspections had been carried out at least in 10 other prefectures as of Thursday. Officers uncovered breaches of regulations such as failure to display a price list and lack of any notice that minors under age 18 are banned from entry.
Local police are stepping up enforcement measures wherever any illegal business practices are identified.
Allegations have been raised that some host clubs charge exorbitant prices and get their customers to run up debts. Some of the women are reportedly then forced to work in the sex industry to repay their debts.
Last month, the National Police Agency instructed prefectural police headquarters to crack down on such illegal practices.
On Friday night, prefectural police in Tokyo, Hokkaido, Osaka and Aichi conducted onsite inspections of host clubs in their entertainment districts in a bid to assess the situation.
In Tokyo's Kabukicho district, which has around 300 host clubs, 130 police officers took part in raids to verify that facilities were being run properly and in accordance with their filed regulatory reports.
The National Police Agency says such inspections had been carried out at least in 10 other prefectures as of Thursday. Officers uncovered breaches of regulations such as failure to display a price list and lack of any notice that minors under age 18 are banned from entry.
Local police are stepping up enforcement measures wherever any illegal business practices are identified.
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Summary
Japanese police conducted raids on host clubs in four prefectures, targeting allegations of exorbitant pricing and debt-forced sex work. This follows national instructions to crack down on illegal practices. Inspections took place in Tokyo, Hokkaido, Osaka, and Aichi, focusing on Kabukicho
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ID: 3379afc0-df52-4b7a-961f-a5107e476d19
Category ID: nhk
URL: https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20231216_12/
Date: Dec. 16, 2023
Created: 2023/12/17 06:30
Updated: 2025/12/08 20:08
Last Read: 2023/12/17 10:19