Behavior of Tōyoko Kids Becoming Increasingly Extreme with Prostitution Facilitation and Escape from Child Consultation Center

In a plaza in Kabukicho, Shinjuku, the ‘Tōyoko Kids’ who gather there are causing issues such as excessive intake of cold medicine and sleep aids, as well as prostitution. Although measures such as frequent mass guidance and surrounding the plaza with fences have been implemented, there seem to be no effects as some people enjoy climbing over the fences. Despite intervention by the police and the ward, the behavior of the Tōyoko Kids is only getting worse. Upon investigating the current situation, startling realities have emerged. Here’s a part of what was discovered.

According to a reporter familiar with the recent situation at Tōyoko Plaza, the Tōyoko Kids are often filmed for buzz purposes on social media and other platforms.

“It seems that videos of the Tōyoko Kids rampaging are likely to go viral on YouTube and SNS, so YouTubers and influencers often come to film. As a result, the number of times they appear in online news is becoming a status symbol for them. Many of them are also quite accustomed to interviews.”

When visiting the actual site, there was no sign of concern for the patrols of security guards and police officers hired by Shinjuku Ward. It was common to see people laying out cardboard, sitting and chatting, or drinking alcohol.

Despite the ongoing chaos that was on the verge of turning into a brawl, the people gathered at Tōyoko seemed to be living as if ‘this is everyday life,’ each person spending their time as they pleased.

When speaking to one of them, a 17-year-old boy named A agreed to an interview, saying he was willing to participate if it meant appearing in online news.

“I was caught drinking and smoking at Tōyoko and was sent to the Child Consultation Center twice. On the very day I arrived, I tried to escape, and the people at the center told me never to come back (laughs). Since it’s up to them to catch me, I really hope they’ll ban me (laughs).” (Boy A)

The group that the boy I spoke to belongs to is made up of youths aged 13 to 19, who rarely go home and spend their time at Tōyoko. Among them, an 18-year-old girl named S says she earns her daily living expenses by receiving a commission for introducing jobs called “cases,” and continues:

“A case is a type of ‘papa-katsu,’ ranging from ‘petite’ activities done with hands or mouth to full-blown acts called ‘adult,’ including meals and walks, and various other things. I don’t sell my body, but I make pocket money by matching girls who want to sell their bodies with men who want to buy. For a petite, the commission is usually around 2,000 to 3,000 yen. I used to mediate via SNS, but now that my account has been suspended, I’m not doing it anymore. If you ask, I can introduce you to anyone.” (Girl S)

Many people at Tōyoko engage in prostitution without disclosing their age, but they spoke without any sense of wrongdoing, saying that they don’t see it as a crime and that it’s a mutually beneficial arrangement with no one losing out.

After the sun had set for a while, a 17-year-old girl named K appeared. She seemed to be a celebrity in the Tōyoko area and was being approached by many people. She was close with the previously mentioned Boy A and began to whisper and talk with him. She said she was going to dye her hair.

 

“I’m going to wash my hair in the toilet at Kabukicho Tower and dye it blue. I got blue hair dye from someone I don’t really know, so I’ll use that and then go have some fun,” said Girl K.

After returning from Kabukicho Tower, she started dyeing her hair on the street. While she was dyeing her hair, another boy, turning this into a spectacle, held up a whiteboard that said “Give me money” and was soliciting money from tourists.

Yukinyan, who focuses on filming videos around Tōyoko, commented on the current situation: ‘Many kids here have nowhere else to go, so even if they are cracked down on, they come back.’

“I visit Kabukicho about twice a week, and the turnover of kids is immense; they disappear without notice, and new ones come in. The police and security are monitoring, but with so many people, they probably can’t remember all the faces. Kabukicho is an interesting and stimulating place, but it’s also common to hear that children are involved in crimes. I hope people understand that there are also malicious adults here,” said Yukinyan.

Many people think of Tōyoko as a tourist attraction and visit to look around, but it’s important to be cautious to avoid getting involved in crimes.