Tattooed Gang Member, 33, Accused of Forcing Runaway Girl into Prostitution Using Impersonation Scheme

“Is there anyone I can meet?”

The suspects allegedly impersonated junior high school girls and solicited male customers.

The Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department’s Juvenile Guidance Division arrested Katsuyoshi Minowa (33), a self-proclaimed gang member living in Soka City, Saitama Prefecture, and Chihiro Fushimi (32), an unemployed resident of Kasukabe City, on suspicion of violating the Child Welfare Act and the Act on Regulation and Punishment of Acts Relating to Child Prostitution and Child Pornography. They are accused of making a third-year junior high school girl, referred to as A

“The suspects, including Minowa, met A-san, who was 14 years old at the time, last December. Upon learning that A-san had run away from home, they invited her over, saying things like ‘Do you want to come to our place?’ and allegedly let her stay at Fushimi’s apartment. The suspects are said to have encouraged A-san to engage in prostitution.

According to the police, the methods used in the crime are astonishing. The suspects, including Minowa, impersonated Mr. A and lured men on dating sites with messages like “Is there anyone who wants to meet?” Mr. A was reportedly forced into prostitution at a hotel in Saitama Prefecture, serving male customers in their 20s and 40s who responded to the suspects’ invitations” (National Newspaper Social Affairs Reporter).

Mr. A received a total of 120,000 yen from male customers as payment. However, the suspects, including Minowa, did not give the money to Mr. A and kept it all for themselves.

It was to earn money

“It seems that Mr. A stayed at the suspect Fushimi’s apartment for about six days, and the incident came to light because he returned home on his own. Mr. A stated to the police that he didn’t want to be disliked because they were letting him stay. The two suspects admitted to the crime, saying it was to make money” (same source).

Our magazine’s photographer captured the transfer of both suspects on June 9th. Suspect Fushimi, with long hair covering his face, appeared exhausted as he covered his face with both hands. Suspect Minowa, who has tattoos covering his entire face, showed a look of surprise at the large number of reporters gathered.

Former Kanagawa Prefectural Police detective and crime journalist, Taihei Ogawa, provides commentary.

“The troubles involving the ‘Tōyoko Kids’ in Shinjuku’s Kabukicho and other cases where runaways become involved in crime never cease. The children who run away have no economic power. If they are invited by a stranger, they will reluctantly go home with them. Because they feel indebted for being allowed to stay for free, they can’t refuse unreasonable demands like prostitution.”

Like the suspect in this case, there are quite a few people who exploit the vulnerabilities of these boys and girls for profit. The crimes against runaway children show no signs of decreasing. The government, centered around the “Child and Family Agency,” should take this more seriously and build a support system to help runaway children.

The police are continuing their investigation to see if the suspects have any prior offenses.