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Popular hostess accused of running Kabukicho club without license

TOKYO (TR) – Tokyo Metropolitan Police have arrested a popular hostess for allegedly running her club in the Kabukicho red-light district without a license, reports the Asahi Shimbun (May 18).

According to police, Rie Nagisa, 32, operated club Ouka without obtaining a license under the public safety commission, which is a violation of the Law Regulating Adult Entertainment Businesses.

Police allege that Nagisa operated the club while using the name of 36-year-old employee Keisuke Watanabe, who was also arrested.

“I have nothing to say until my lawyer comes,” Nagisa was quoted by police in denying the allegations. Meanwhile, Watanabe admits to the allegations.

Over the two-year period, Ouka collected about 840 million yen in revenue, police said.

Rie Nagisa (Twitter)

Popular figure on YouTube and Instagram

Nagisa is a popular figure on YouTube and Instagram under the name Nonoka Sakurai. She as well operates club Kanon, which is also located in Kabukicho.

The arrest is not the first brush with the law this year for Nagisa. Early on February 1, police raided club Kanon and arrested six employees for operating after 1:00 a.m., which is also a violation of the adult-entertainment law.

During that investigation, police learned about the use of Watanabe’s name for the license.

After the bust in February, Nagisa issued an apology on YouTube. “I’m really sorry for betraying everyone who has supported me to this point,” she said.