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Nephew of ex-PM Koizumi busted for illegal host club operation

Santuary
Santuary
TOKYO (TR) – Kanagawa Prefectural Police announced on Thursday the arrest of a nephew of former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi for allegedly operating an illegal host club in Yokosuka, reports the Sankei Shimbun (Feb. 21).

Officers from the Yokosuka Police Station took Chikaraya Koizumi, 29, the manager of club Santuary, into custody for running an adult-entertainment establishment with a license for a restaurant or bar — a violation of the Law Regulating Adult Entertainment Businesses.

At 1:35 a.m. on February 17, the prefecture’s public safety commission entered the club and discovered two women being entertained by four male employees.

The suspect has reportedly admitted to the allegations.

“It is disappointing,” Shinjiro Koizumi, a Diet member and the second son of the former prime minster, is quoted by Fuji Network News (Feb. 21). “Even though we were cousins, we grew up together like brothers.”

Shinjiro Koizumi represents the Kanagawa 11th electoral district, which includes Santuary. The establishment opened for business two years ago. Beginning last fall, neighboring residents began filing complaints with police regarding noise coming from the club.

Junichiro Koizumi served as Japan’s prime minister from 2001 to 2006. When asked for comment, his private secretary said that there was nobody present at the moment to discuss the matter.