TOKYO (TR) – Tokyo Metropolitan Police have arrested five people, including the operator of a so-called “girls’ bar” in the Kabukicho red-light district, for allegedly providing unlicensed entertainment services.
The bust was part of a series of raids on four nightlife establishments across the capital, reports Nippon News Network (May 20).
Tomoko Nagata, who manages the girls’ bar Wisteria in Kabukicho, was arrested on Tuesday. Referred to as a girl’s bar, the establishment provides services similar to those on offer at a hostess club.
The day before, Nagata allegedly violated the Law Regulating Adult Entertainment Businesses by having female employees actively entertain and sit with customers without obtaining the required proper licensing.
During police questioning, Nagata partially denied the charges. “It is a fact that [the employees] were sitting at the same table with customers, but I cannot accept it being called ‘entertaining,'” she told investigators.
During the crackdown, police also raided three other venues — including girls’ bars and themed “concept cafes” — in major entertainment hubs such as Akihabara and Ikebukuro, resulting in the arrests of four other operators.
According to investigators, all four targeted establishments had previously been slapped with administrative warnings from police regarding illegal hostessing. Despite the guidance, the venues allegedly ignored the orders and continued their illicit operations.
