Brazilian National Involved in Introducing 16-Year-Old Girl to Cabaret Club

“I didn’t know what kind of work they would make her do. The girl also said she was 18.”

The Brazilian man reportedly made this statement to the police, denying part of the allegations.

By March 8, the Juvenile Development Division of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department arrested Brazilian national Kobayashi Pereira Vinicius Makoto (20), a company employee living in Honjo City, Saitama Prefecture, on suspicion of violating the Child Welfare Act. He is accused of introducing a 16-year-old girl, referred to as A, to a cabaret club.

“The location is the bustling area of Kabukicho in Shinjuku Ward. The incident occurred in July of last year. At the time, A had run away from home and was hanging around the so-called ‘Toyoko’ area near the Shinjuku Toho Building. Kobayashi was frequenting the area and seemed to play a role similar to that of a scout for adult entertainment establishments.

According to the police, A reportedly told Kobayashi that she was ‘short on money.’ Kobayashi then told her, ‘I know a good place,’ and introduced her to a nearby cabaret club that same day. He is believed to have handed over the underage girl to the establishment, knowing they would make her solicit customers late at night. It is suspected that the crime was carried out in conspiracy with the club. Kobayashi is said to have claimed, ‘She told me she was 18,'” said a reporter from a national newspaper’s social affairs section.

“I have been introduced to other places as well.”

The cabaret club “I” is where A was handed over. In February of this year, police arrested an employee of “I” for making underage girls solicit customers late at night. During questioning, the employee mentioned, “I have been introduced to other girls as well,” leading the police to suspect that Kobayashi had mediated multiple girls into adult entertainment establishments.

A photographer from this magazine captured Kobayashi being transferred to the police station right after his arrest. With a tattoo on his neck, Kobayashi showed no sign of remorse as he gazed at the gathered press.

Former Kanagawa Prefecture police officer and crime journalist, Taihei Ogawa, provides his analysis:

“In the past, it was common for women in financial trouble to be made to loiter around Okubo Park near Kabukicho. However, as police crackdowns in Okubo Park have intensified, it’s likely that adult entertainment scouts have started conspiring with the clubs. Targeting underage girls for these crimes is particularly malicious.

The girls who gather in the Toyoko area should also recognize the risk of being ‘exploited’ by adults. While some volunteers are kind and helpful, there are also many people, like in this case, who aim to make money by having these girls work at adult entertainment venues. No matter how comfortable they feel, minors need to understand the risks of hanging around in these busy entertainment districts.”

The police are continuing their investigation into Kobayashi’s other possible offenses.