KUALA LUMPUR -The Public Morals Division of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department arrested six Chinese nationals by January 22 on suspicion of violating the Anti-Prostitution Law. 

They are alleged to have brokered prostitution involving Thai women who entered Japan on short-term stay visas.

Authorities have not disclosed whether the suspects have admitted to the allegations.

Those arrested include employees of a dispatch style sex business and a manager of a love hotel.

According to the police, the six are believed to have acted in an organized manner and may have generated more than 30 million yen in revenue over about a year and a half since May 2024. 

Investigators allege that the group rented out an entire floor of a love hotel and dispatched female workers to guest rooms after receiving requests from customers by phone.

The division also arrested two Thai women working at the establishment on suspicion of violating the Immigration Control Act by engaging in unauthorized work without permission for activities outside their visa status. 

One of the women reportedly told investigators that she came to Japan to engage in prostitution to cover her child’s education expenses.

In November last year, a separate prostitution case involving a 12 year old Thai girl also came to light, drawing increased public attention to issues surrounding prostitution.