IBARAKI (TR) – Police here have arrested a Buddhist monk on suspicion of child prostitution after he allegedly promised cash to two underage girls in exchange for indecent acts, reports NHK (June 8).
Yoshimasa Isono, a 40-year-old monk residing in the town of Shirosato, is accused of committing the acts with two girls under the age of 18 at a hotel in Mito City in September of last year. Isono also offered the girls money despite knowing they were minors.
Upon questioning by police, Isono admitted to the allegations.
According to the police, the two girls were friends and had met Isono through social media. It is believed they met for the first time on the day of the incident.
Approximately two months after the incident, one of the girls visited the police station with her family and stated that she had met a man she didn’t know, leading to the discovery of the crime.
A subsequent investigation into the girl’s smartphone data led officers to identify Isono.
