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Trial begins for manager of Tokyo prostitution club that targeted pensioners

The building that housed clubs Kairaku Kukan and Maihime
The building that housed clubs Kairaku Kukan and Maihime
TOKYO (TR) – The general public is showing interest in the the trial of the manager of a prostitution club that targeted senior citizens, reports Nikkan Sports (Apr. 25).

In February, Risako Yokota, 53, was taken into custody for allegedly violating the Anti-Prostitution Law by operating two clubs — named Kairaku Kukan and Maihime — from inside an apartment building in Taito Ward.

Her customers, who paid between 12,000 and 14,000 yen for two hours of services, were mainly older men. The 10 prostitutes on her books had ages that began around 40 and reached beyond 70. The employees received 3,000 yen per customer as a commission.

“I targeted pensioners,” Yokota was quoted by police.

To employ an elderly woman in prostitution is newsworthy, says Nikkan Sports. The trial for Yokota began last week, and interest was high: Each of the 20 of the seats in the courtroom intended for observers were occupied.

The prosecutor’s opening statement said that Yokota was a veteran of the deri heru trade, which is the out-call sex industry, before managing her own call-girl service starting her own service in 2006. She started Kairaku Kukan in April of 2011.

Through February, the defendant’s establishments reportedly collected 50 million yen in revenue.

“I knew from my experience in the deri heru trade that a prostitution club would be profitable,” she told the court.

During questioning, Yokota admitted to having paid 100,000 yen in protection money to organized crime on one occasion. She also spent 100,000 yen each month playing pachinko.

Nikkan Sports says that the manager of a club targeting seniors must have had a way with older people. Indeed, a male acquaintance serving as a character witness supported that theory. “Speaking frankly, she is a kind person,” said the witness. “She will bow down before elderly people, she will handle their bags, and she will even offer them her seat on the train.”

The prosecution requested two years in prison and a fine of 500,000 yen.