NARA (TR) – Police in Uda City have arrested a 46-year-old hotel operator after he installed a two-way mirror in a guest room to secretly film women staying at his facility, reports NHK (Nov. 13).
Yoshinori Yoneda, the representative director of a local hospitality company, was taken into custody on suspicion of taking tosatsu (voyeur) footage.
According to police, the incident came to light last month when a female guest noticed a camera lens positioned behind a mirror in her room. The victim immediately contacted the police, leading to an investigation of the premises.
Investigators discovered that Yoneda had rigged the guest room with a “magic mirror” — a reflective glass pane that allowed someone to see into the room from an adjacent employee area. Police allege that Yoneda used this setup to record footage of female guests in various states of undress.
Under questioning on suspicion of violating the Law Banning the Taking of Sexually Explicit Photographs and the Nara Prefecture Nuisance Prevention Ordinance, Yoneda reportedly admitted to the allegations, telling investigators, “I did it to film women in their underwear and nude.”
Yoneda’s business portfolio reportedly includes the operation of a renovated traditional Japanese-style house (kominka) as a lodging facility, as well as the local production and sale of craft beer.
Police are currently investigating whether other guests have been targeted by the illicit setup.
