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Mistress service restricts membership after reports about NHK announcer

Shukan Post Aug. 5
Shukan Post Aug. 5

“You’re just too good to be true, I can’t take my eyes off you” — Frankie Valli, “Can’t Take My Eyes off You.”

Last month, two tabloid magazines revealed that an online dating service matching wealthy men with young, attractive women had an actual female announcer from public broadcaster NHK on its roster. Since then, the site has put a restriction in place on new members, and Shukan Post (Aug. 5) takes a look at why.

The July 21 issues of Shukan Bunshun and Shukan Shincho first reported that the announcer, 25, had enrolled. The woman, who goes unnamed, told the publications that she went on four dates with men, some of whom were married. She claimed that she thought the service was for women seeking to get married. “I didn’t know it was a mistress club,” she was quoted.

Dubbed a “koibito bank,” the service, which is not named, has more than 3,000 women listed under four grades, “Standard,” “Gold,” “Platinum” and “Black.” The service’s web site promises men access to a variety of attractive women, from up-and-coming entertainers who are willing to sleep their way to success to adult video actresses.

For men, membership at the Black level costs 300,000 yen. Men are also required to pay a fee of 100,000 yen to meet a companion. Women, who are not charged to register, receive an honorarium for the date in return.

A lawyer from Mizuho Chuo Law Offices tells Shukan Post that such an arrangement could be problematic from a legal standpoint. “With a tacit agreement in place such that money is to be exchanged for sex, it could be viewed as a violation of the Anti-Prostitution Law,” says lawyer Satoshi Mihira.

However, fears related to the legality of the business were not an issue in implementing the restriction, according to the service.

“As to the suspension, we were worried that reporters would attempt to infiltrate into our system,” a representative of the service is quoted. “(The announcer) has already withdrawn from our system. The leak of her information is our fault, and she is a victim.”

When reached for comment, a representative in the public relations department at NHK said that the broadcaster had no comment on whether she registered or not with the service.

Readers of Shukan Post will then have to go on wondering if she was indeed too good to be true.

Source: “NHK joshi ana toroku no ‘koibito banku,'” Shukan Post (Aug. 5, pages 142-143)