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Tokyo police apply new regulations to slow ‘JK’ businesses

Friday Jan. 9-16
Friday Jan. 9-16
Over the past two years, Tokyo police have been active in raiding establishments coming under the designation “JK,” an abbreviation for joshi kosei, or high-school girl.

In offering massages, strolls and nap sessions, such businesses, particularly in the Akihabara district and around JR Ikebukuro Station, have been under scrutiny due to the contact offered by the school-girl attendants to male customers is considered harmful under the law and can lead to prostitution.

With a new tactic set to be employed by law enforcement shortly, a reporter for Friday (Jan. 9-16) finds that operators are currently able to supply erotic offerings to all comers.

“With the crackdowns on places employing girls under 18, the number of those shops is decreasing,” says the manager of one such operation. “However, for those staffed with school girls aged 18 and above, their numbers are increasing.”

This might change — a little. Starting in January, law enforcement in Tokyo will begin taking school girls over the age of 18 found working at such businesses into “protective custody. (Previously, this policy applied only to minors.)

For a peek at the current state of the illicit trade, Friday’s reporter infiltrates one such shop in the Takadanobaba area. He finds private rooms partitioned by curtains, music by the all-girl idol group AKB48 pumping in the background and an attractive 18-year-old girl attired in a sailor suit and displaying a list of menu items.

“I want to live by myself,” she tells the magazine’s reporter. “In order to do that, I must save money up until I graduate.”

Following a police raid of her previous shop in Akihabara, where, according to the Sankei Shimbun (Dec. 18), the number of JK businesses has fallen from 138 to 42 over the past year, the girl started work in Takadanobaba three months ago.

Police have been active in Takadanobaba as well. In October, officers uncovered a nationwide first: a JK sniff parlor. Police arrested the 33-year-old manager of Pure Doll JK Community for allegedly allowing a male customer smell the body of a 17-year-old employee attired in her underwear, which is a violation of labor laws.

The establishment employed approximately 30 school girls, who will change into a number of costumes at the request of the customer. During the raid, officers seized a number of clothing items, including school-girl uniforms, gym clothes and maid outfits.

“At this shop, there is no problem since all the girls are 18 years of age or above,” Friday quotes the aforementioned 18-year-old girl, obviously during an interview conducted before January 1.

Law enforcement in Tokyo will begin taking school girls over the age of 18 found working at joshi kosei businesses into 'protective custody'
Law enforcement in Tokyo will begin taking school girls over the age of 18 found working at joshi kosei businesses into ‘protective custody’
Basic entry requires 3,000 yen for 30 minutes. The reporter chooses two optional menu items: a hug (a half-hour for 5,000 yen) and a costume change to an “ultra see-through” suit (6,000 yen). Note: He passes on two slaps to the face for 500 yen.

“Please wait a moment while I change,” she tells the reporter.

Upon her return, the scribe takes note of her pink underwear visible beneath the translucent fabric. For the embrace, he makes sure to do his best to get close to youthful female form.

“Because customers like the lewd stuff, I’ve gotten used to it,” she says.

The term “JK business” was nominated as one of the top buzzwords of 2014 as compiled by publisher Jiyu Kokuminsha. But in lieu of the latest move by police Friday wonders whether this social phenomena may be on its last legs. (A.T.)

Source: “JK bijinesu kageki-ka! Shiisuruu 18-sai ga mitchaku rifure,” Friday (Jan. 9-16, pages 88-89)