Esteemed 26-Year-Old Esthetician Arrested for Allegedly Assaulting Female Client

“I was assaulted by the staff.”

The woman rushed to the police immediately after leaving the esthetic salon, shocked by having her body touched inappropriately. She reported the lewd acts, leading to the revelation of the incident.

On October 11, the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Ueno Station arrested 26-year-old esthetician Daiki Sugino, the owner of the salon, on suspicion of non-consensual intercourse. He is accused of sexually assaulting a female customer in her 20s, referred to as Ms. A, under the pretense of providing treatment. Sugino has denied the allegations, stating to police, “There are no such facts.”

“The incident in question reportedly occurred in September of this year. Sugino is accused of committing lewd acts, including touching Ms. A’s lower body, within the esthetic salon he managed in Taito Ward, Tokyo, as part of a massage. Ms. A was said to have been visiting the salon for the first time.

Sugino was a well-known esthetician who had provided maintenance for professional athletes. After graduating from a specialized school for chiropractic care, he trained at a bone-setting clinic and worked as a trainer at a competitive sports school. The esthetic salon he managed offered a reasonable rate of 3,000 yen for a 30-minute session of chiropractic treatment, and it had a good reputation.”

“Please stop.”

After the arrest, the magazine’s photographer captured images of Sugino as he emerged from the police station. Initially, he was slumped in the back seat of a police transport vehicle. Upon noticing the presence of the photographer, Sugino took shocking actions by bending over and completely hiding himself from view.

Incidents of lewd acts in massage parlors and clinics have been on the rise. Here are some notable troubles that have occurred in recent years:

・In March 2023, the director of a clinic was arrested on suspicion of quasi-coercive indecency. He reportedly instructed a female patient to remove her underwear and touched her lower body for about an hour. He filmed the “examination” with a small camera, and there was no one else in the clinic at the time.

・In November 2023, a man in his 30s, the head of a chiropractic clinic, was arrested. He was accused of touching the lower body of a female customer, who had visited the clinic several times, under the guise of treatment. Additionally, he allegedly sexually assaulted a woman who protested, saying, “Please stop.” Several other women also reported being victims.

・In September of this year, the manager of a relaxation salon was arrested for allegedly engaging in lewd acts with multiple female clients while providing treatment. He reportedly inserted his hands into the clothing of women, touching their lower bodies and breasts. Six women came forward to report being victimized.

“Massage therapy and examinations often take place in private settings, making it increasingly difficult to prove incidents of sexual assault as time passes without witnesses. It’s crucial to consult the police immediately if you are a victim. Most doctors and massage therapists are sincere and focused on the health of their patients, completely unrelated to troubles. However, it is also true that some perpetrators underestimate the likelihood of being caught and continue to commit lewd acts in private,” the police have cautioned.

These despicable acts exploit the superior position of medical professionals and massage therapists, who are supposed to listen to patients’ concerns and alleviate their physical discomfort. The police are urging heightened awareness regarding these issues.