Host’s Terrifying Actions in Collecting Accounts Receivable and Introducing Female Clients to Sex Shops with Extortionate Fees

“At least 30 women were introduced”

One of the suspects, a scout, reportedly told the police this during their investigation.

On July 16, the Tokyo Metropolitan Police’s Security Division arrested Shintaro Obokata (25), known as “Ootori Shin” at Host Club S, along with three scouts. They are suspected of violating the Employment Security Act (introducing harmful business activities). It is alleged that they introduced female clients to soaplands in Oita Prefecture in order to collect outstanding payments at Host Club S in Kabukicho, Shinjuku Ward, Tokyo.

“Victim women reportedly spent about 4.6 million yen at places like Host Club S and worked at various sex establishments to repay their outstanding debts. According to statements from the arrested scout, the number of victims is believed to be at least 30. Reports from Sankei Shimbun and other sources indicate that messages such as ‘Everyone is adjusting with the pill’ were found on Obokata’s LINE account. Obokata and others have admitted to the crimes during the investigation,” said a reporter from a national newspaper’s social affairs department.

Obokata was also arrested in February of this year for extorting large sums of money from female clients using terrifying methods. ‘FRIDAY Digital’ provided a detailed report on the case shortly after on February 27. We will reprint and review Obokata’s criminal methods (some content has been revised).”

 

I had no choice but to borrow from those places

A man walked with his head bowed and eyes directed towards the ground. The once intimidating demeanor, which had forcibly extracted exorbitant fees from female clients, was no longer apparent.

On February 22, the Tokyo Metropolitan Police’s Security Division arrested Obokata, who worked at Host Club S, on suspicion of violating the Tokyo Anti-Overcharging Ordinance. He is reportedly remaining silent during the investigation.

“The victim, a woman in her 20s known as A, met Obokata after being approached on the street in October 2022. After several dates, Obokata revealed he was a host and began sending A to Host Club S. It is reported that Obokata imposed a large amount of ‘accounts receivable’ on A, totaling about 930,000 yen over six months.

 

 

When A was unable to pay the ‘accounts receivable,’ Obokata allegedly attempted to collect the debt in December of the previous year while parked in a car in a convenience store parking lot in Adachi Ward. He reportedly said things like, ‘You’re going to jail,’ ‘The collection agency will come,’ and ‘If you can’t tell your parents, you’ll have to borrow from those places.’ Obokata is said to have told A, ‘You can borrow now, so do it,’ and had her apply for consumer loans from his smartphone. A reportedly applied to three different companies,” according to another social affairs reporter.

A, who was subjected to Obokata’s intimidating demands for payment, consulted the police. Through LINE exchanges and other evidence, it was revealed that Obokata had been collecting payments unfairly.

“It appears that Host Club S also had A sign a written pledge, suggesting that the crime involved the entire establishment. The operating company, M, has been formally charged with violating the Tokyo Anti-Overcharging Ordinance. It is unusual for a corporation running a host club to be prosecuted,” said the same reporter.

Troubles with female clients at host clubs have been increasing, becoming a social issue. 

“In January of this year, a host club employee in Kabukicho was arrested on charges of coercion. It is alleged that he made female clients who couldn’t pay their ‘accounts receivable’ stand around parks in Kabukicho and engage in prostitution-related activities while waiting for clients. Some host clubs and their employees deliberately charge female clients exorbitant fees and engage in unfair collection practices.

This year, the Tokyo Public Safety Commission has imposed administrative penalties, including suspension of business operations, on three host clubs in Kabukicho due to overcharging and other offenses. The police are also intensifying their crackdown on malicious hosts and establishments,” the same reporter added.

The police are advising female clients to avoid falling for hosts’ sweet talk and not to order expensive drinks.