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.