TOKYO (TR) – Law enforcement from Tokyo and Chiba Prefecture on Monday announced the arrest of two males for allegedly dispatching teenage girls to hostess clubs in the capital, reports the Sankei Shimbun (Sept. 28).
Officers took Masahito Moriyama, 31, and Takashi Hoshina, 28, into custody for allegedly introducing girls under the age of 18 to hostess clubs for employment — a violation of the Child Welfare Law.
In October of last year, Hoshina recruited a girl, then 16 years of age, for a club in Edogawa Ward, while Moriyama recommended two girls, both 15, to a different club in the same ward.
According to police, Hoshina utilized the social media application Line and emails to contact the girls. He was compensated 2,500 yen for each recruit by the 10 clubs he utilized.
Law enforcement has thus far confirmed that 27 girls were sent to six clubs by the suspects. Officers are now investigating the clubs for violations related to the Law Regulating Adult Entertainment Businesses.