Menstrual Cycle Checks and Prostitution: The Exposed Secrets of a High-Class Dating Café

Yosuke Murakami, the 48-year-old manager of the dating café “Tu-Ba Umeda” in Osaka, along with two employees, was arrested by the Osaka Prefectural Police by September 30 on suspicion of violating the Prostitution Prevention Law (mediation) for allegedly arranging prostitution by introducing women to male clients.

Models, female university students, and housewives were among those involved.

“The ‘Tu-Ba Umeda’ shop is located near the ‘Izumi no Hiroba’ underground shopping area in Kita Ward, Osaka City, and its website described it as a members-only dating café where gentlemen with financial stability can meet others. Reportedly, it was the original dating service established in Osaka 16 years ago. Female members included a variety of people—models, race queens, event companions, female university students, and housewives—with around 1,000 registered members,” said a social affairs reporter for a national newspaper.

While the business appeared to be a simple “dating café” on the surface, interactions allegedly operated under the pretense of prostitution.

“The system was set up to gather information from female members, such as their bust size, available days and times, desired compensation, and preferred status or occupation of potential male clients. When a client’s preferences matched, an introduction would be made. Rates were typically 35,000 to 40,000 yen per encounter, and women incurred no registration or service fees, allowing them to easily make pocket money. Clients, however, paid a 10,000-yen membership fee and a negotiation fee, as well as hotel costs, totaling a minimum expense of 60,000 yen. Consequently, the service attracted affluent, high-class men,” an investigator stated.

In fact, the clientele reportedly included high-status professionals like lawyers, university professors, and business executives. Over the past year, “Tu-Ba Umeda” reportedly generated 32 million yen in revenue, with a total of 300 million yen earned over the past decade.

Dating Cafes are Hotbeds for Prostitution

During police questioning, suspect Murakami reportedly stated, “Revenue from providing an ordinary meeting space alone wasn’t enough. I didn’t think I’d get caught.” But what led to the crackdown?

“Dating cafés have long been a hotbed for prostitution, a concern for law enforcement. However, if they claim, ‘We’re just providing a place for people to meet freely, and if two people hit it off and go to a love hotel, there’s no prostitution negotiation involved,’ proving otherwise becomes challenging. This shop also had a notice inside stating, ‘This is a meeting place, but prostitution is prohibited,’ and required female members to sign a pledge not to engage in prostitution, presenting itself as a legitimate establishment. Yet, at the same time, the manager would confirm women’s menstruation dates to arrange a prostitution schedule. Police meticulously gathered statements from members and clients, building a solid case,” explained an investigator.

The saying “The net of heaven is vast and spares none” seems fitting here—wrongdoing does not escape justice.