Industry News — Crime, Regulation & Trends

News

Nationwide Simultaneous Investigation of Illegal Scouts; Raids in Five Major Cities on the Same Day, 25 Arrested

On the 13th, the National Police Agency announced that it had carried out a simultaneous investigation of illegal scouting groups in five cities—Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, Fukuoka, and Sapporo—arresting 25 people, including leaders and operatives. The investigation revealed that multiple groups maintained 'subcontracting' and 'cooperative' relationships, forming a nationwide network.

Elon March 13, 2024

News

Leaders of Kansai-Based Human-Trafficking Ring Arrested; 20 Southeast Asian Women Victimized

On the 14th, Osaka and Hyogo prefectural police arrested four leaders of a human-trafficking ring based in Osaka and Kobe. The group is alleged to have lured women from Southeast Asian countries on fraudulent work visas and forced them into commercial sex work. At least 20 women were victimized.

Elon February 14, 2024

News

First Major Crackdown of 2024: Coordinated Searches of Illegal Sex-Industry Network Across Seven Prefectures

As its priority enforcement action at the start of the year, the National Police Agency had police in seven prefectures coordinate to conduct simultaneous searches of illegal sex-industry shops and scouting organizations. A total of 23 locations were searched, and 18 people were arrested or referred to prosecutors. The action sent a tense signal through the industry as a 'declaration' of a tough enforcement stance for 2024.

Elon January 17, 2024

News

2023 Sex-Industry Crime White Paper: Illegal-Scouting Crackdowns Hit Record High, Social-Media-Driven Harm Worsens

The National Police Agency released its annual report summarizing trends in sex-industry-related crime in 2023. The number of crackdowns on illegal scouting reached the highest level since records began, and harm from social-media-driven sexual exploitation has worsened markedly.

Elon December 13, 2023

News

Amended Provider Liability Limitation Act Strengthens Measures Against Digital Sexual Crime; Prompt Removal of Victim Images Made Mandatory

The amended Provider Liability Limitation Act took effect in November, speeding up platform responses when victims of sexual images and videos request their removal. Whereas removal previously sometimes took weeks or months, the new law requires a response within 72 hours.

Elon November 15, 2023

News

Concentrated Crackdown on Sex-Industry Crime Around Kabukicho's 'Toyoko'; Tokyo Police Set Up Special Unit

In response to a surge in sex-industry-related crime in the area centered on 'Toyoko' (next to the Toyoko Inn) in Shinjuku's Kabukicho, the Tokyo Metropolitan Police established a special enforcement unit and launched an intensive investigation. The effort seeks to balance the protection of victims, including minors, with the crackdown on illegal operators.

Elon October 11, 2023

News

Organized Prostitution Group Indicted: About Two Years of Operation in Tokyo and Kanagawa, More Than 60 Victims

The Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office announced on the 13th that it had indicted five senior members of a group that had been organizing prostitution in Tokyo and Kanagawa for about two years, charging them with violating the Anti-Prostitution Act (organized/managed prostitution). The number of women victimized is believed to exceed 60, drawing attention as a large-scale organized prostitution case.

Elon September 13, 2023

News

Ringleader Sentenced to 8 Years in Prison in Sexual Exploitation of Minors Case; Court Calls It 'Premeditated and Malicious

The Tokyo District Court handed down an eight-year prison sentence to a defendant charged with violating the Act on Punishment of Child Prostitution and Child Pornography and other offenses for sexually exploiting multiple minors. The presiding judge ruled that the conduct was 'premeditated and malicious, and gravely damaged the victims' dignity.

Elon August 16, 2023

News

Nagoya Sweeps Illegal Delivery-Health Operators: 18 Shops Searched, Including Ordinance Violations

Aichi Prefectural Police announced on the 19th that it had conducted a coordinated search of 18 illegal delivery-health (deriheru) businesses, mainly in Nagoya, arresting and referring 14 operators and others. Investigators also confirmed unregistered operation, employment of minors, and late-night operating violations.

Elon July 19, 2023

News

First Investigation Launched Into Illegal Scouting Group 'Natural'; Metropolitan Police Search Related Premises

On the 14th, the Metropolitan Police Department announced that it had searched two premises related to the illegal scouting group 'Natural' on suspicion of violating the Employment Security Act. The group operates mainly in the Tokyo metropolitan area and is said to have referred numerous women to sex-industry venues. The investigation will continue toward future prosecution.

Elon June 14, 2023