TOKYO (TR) – Tokyo Metropolitan Police last week announced that it arrested a more than 100 women and girls for soliciting customers for prostitution on the streets of Kabukicho, Shinjuku Ward last year, reports TBS News (Mar. 16).
Tokyo police arrested 112 people last year on suspicion of violating the Anti-Prostitution Law for soliciting customers on the streets around Okubo Park in Kabukicho.
The number of arrests has remained high over the past few years, hovering around 100 each year since 2023. “Even after crackdowns, people continue to gather after seeing posts on social media,” a police representative said.
The number of arrests of teenagers increased from 3 to 14 over the year before. The youngest was a 16-year-old high school student from Saitama Prefecture. Meanwhile, the oldest was a 45-year-old woman.
As to their motivation, nearly half cited “fandom activities,” such as frequenting host clubs or male underground idol groups. This was the case for the 16-year-old girl. Others cited earning money for abortions or cosmetic surgery, police said.
For just over 70 percent, it was their first time being cited.
Punishing men
Police are focusing on supporting the social reintegration of 15 individuals, including connecting them with welfare offices, and they will continue to take necessary measures in the future.
Prostitution in the area is spreading from around Okubo Park to other parts of Kabukicho due to increased crackdowns and patrols. Police are also approaching men who appear to be soliciting prostitution, but because the anti-prostitution law does not have a mechanism for punishing men inquiring for sex, they have not yet been able to crack down on them.
