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Tokyo cops bust Akihabara underwear-peeping parlor

Idol Academy Star Pro
Idol Academy Star Pro

TOKYO (TR) – Tokyo Metropolitan Police on Wednesday announced the bust of a parlor in which female employees offered illicit glimpses of themselves to customers, reports the Asahi Shimbun (Sep. 9).

Hisa Takahasi, the 52-year-old manager of Idol Academy Star Pro, located in Chiyoda Ward’s Akihabara shopping district, is alleged to have employed seven women to wear costumes and pose such that their underwear was visible in front of a one-way mirror for three male customers on July 15.

The suspect was charged with operating without a license under the entertainment law. Police also seized school girl uniforms, underwear and swimsuits from the premises.

Applying the entertainment law for such a case is a nationwide first. In recent years, law enforcement has been cracking down on similar operations featuring minors under the Child Welfare Law as they are considered breeding grounds for prostitution.

In this case, however, all of the employees were adults. Therefore, the police deemed that the customers were being entertained in a way similar to that of a movie or stage theater with the women as “objects.”

Takahashi has admitted to the allegations. “Another business got shut down but I continued (with this business) since I have so many customers,” the suspect is quoted by police, according to TBS News (Sep. 9).

Prices at Idol Academy Star Pro begin at 13,500 yen for the first 60 minutes of service. Shoulder, foot and hand massages are also available for 3,000 yen for 30 minutes. The customers also provide tips to the women in exchange for requested poses.

Over a four-year period, the parlor has collected 200 million yen in revenue.