Investigative sources in Tokyo say one or more brokers may be linked to a case in which a 12-year-old Thai girl was allegedly forced to work at a massage parlor in the Japanese capital.
Police are also looking into the involvement of the girl's mother, who left Japan and is currently being detained in Taiwan.
The girl came to Japan in June with her mother, who took her to the massage parlor. The girl was made to sleep in the parlor's kitchen.
The mother ordered the girl, who does not speak Japanese, to provide sexual services to customers.
Authorities became aware of the girl's plight in September when she visited the immigration services bureau in Tokyo.
She told officials she had been forced to work and expressed her desire to return to Thailand and attend junior high school. Police are investigating the case as possible human trafficking.
They have arrested the parlor's owner for allegedly violating the Labor Standards Law which forbids employment of persons under the age of 15.
Taiwan's immigration authorities say the girl's mother entered Taiwan in September and is now in custody.
Thai police say she has travelled abroad 27 times to destinations such as Japan, Taiwan and Vietnam.
Royal Thai Police Commissioner-General Kittharath Punpetch said, " We don't know if the mother tried to escape but we are taking steps to have her transferred so she can be prosecuted under Thai law."
The girl reportedly has told police in Tokyo that Thai employees at the parlor were frequently replaced. Police suspect one or more brokers may have acted as go-betweens in recruiting women and girls from Thailand.

Quiz 1:
In which Japanese capital was a 12-year-old Thai girl allegedly forced to work at a massage parlor?
A. Osaka
B. Tokyo
C. Sapporo
D. Fukuoka

[Answer block]
Answers:
Quiz 1: B

Quiz 2:
What law was allegedly violated by the parlor's owner in Japan?
A. Immigration Law
B. Labor Standards Law
C. Child Protection Law
D. Human Trafficking Prevention Act

[Answer block]
Answers:
Quiz 2: B

Quiz 3:
Where is the girl's mother currently being detained?
A. Japan
B. Taiwan
C. Thailand
D. Vietnam

[Answer block]
Answers:
Quiz 3: B