Osaka’s Chinese Mansions Exposed Prostitution Ring Uncovered After Resident Tip-off

On March 10, the Osaka Prefectural Police arrested a man from Ichikawa City, Chiba Prefecture, on suspicion of violating the Anti-Prostitution Act for offering an apartment room in Habikino City as a place for prostitution. Additionally, a Thai woman who was allegedly providing sexual services in the apartment was also arrested on charges of violating the Entertainment Business Law.

According to investigative sources, the case came to light after a complaint from a resident in a different building of the same apartment complex, who reported that “Men often come by mistake”. It is suspected that part of the proceeds from the prostitution were eventually sent to mainland China, leading the police to believe that a Chinese-run prostitution organization may be involved.

There are other underground brothels operating secretly in apartment rooms. One such site, often discussed on anonymous online forums, is called X, and it appears to be using the internet to attract customers.

 What kind of site is “X”?

The locations introduced on this site are Chinese apartments across Japan, from Hokkaido to Okinawa. Chinese apartments refer to buildings where Asian prostitutes stay, and it is a term widely used among sex industry enthusiasts.

Since “X” doesn’t appear in online searches, the URL needs to be typed in manually to access the site. The homepage requires entering a password, making it difficult to enter without proper access.

Once logged in, the homepage displays a list of all the prefectures in Japan, resembling an old-style dating site. The site is simple and doesn’t give off a commercial vibe. Clicking on the prefecture names shows photos of the women, their measurements, and nearby addresses. Users select a woman and contact her through the provided KakaoTalk or LINE IDs to make a reservation.

I spoke to Mr. I, who has used “X.”

“The password is sometimes posted on certain websites. Once you enter the site, you choose a woman you want to meet, and when you contact her via KakaoTalk, she sends the location and name of the apartment. Once you arrive, you send a message, and the room number is sent back to you.

If you go to the room and the woman is not to your liking, you can cancel. You just need to inform them politely at the door. It’s unusual to be able to make a decision based on the real thing before committing, like this.”

The KakaoTalk ID used for communication is the same nationwide. The fees are also uniform. It is unclear whether the operation is managed by the same nationwide organization or if it is only responsible for the communication aspect.

The services provided inside the apartment

This underground sex industry can be classified as a one-time affair or chon’s room. K, who has been using X for two years, describes the services provided inside the apartment.

“The room is just an ordinary apartment. The lighting is somewhat like a typical sex industry setting, with dim lighting or sometimes colored lights.

The room structure is about a 6-tatami room. There’s not much of a homey feel, with just a futon laid out, creating a chon’s room atmosphere. Depending on the room, some women bring personal items, and there are rooms that feel a bit messy.”

Unlike storefront sex establishments, the rooms are very plain, with a strong impression that they are meant solely for intercourse.

“The fee is paid in advance, 10,000 yen for 30 minutes, and the service is with a condom. I’ve been using this place for a long time, but I’ve never met a Japanese woman. Most of the women are from countries like the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam, and they speak a little Japanese. What’s different from regular stores is that once you’re done, you leave immediately, giving it a very business-like impression. It feels more like a quick-service sex business.”

On X, new apartments and photos of women are added within a few weeks or even a few days, indicating a high turnover rate. According to I and K, the rooms are located in normal residential areas in ordinary apartments. Just like the case in Habikino City, it seems they change locations before residents get suspicious.

It is astonishing that prostitution is taking place in an ordinary apartment. Perhaps this kind of prostitution is happening in places nearby us as well.