"The Ordinary Daughter" Unknowingly Ends Up in a Sex Industry Shop: The Reality and Countermeasures of Dark Businesses Burdening Young People with High Debt

Table of Contents

1. Incident Overview: The Pitfall of "Not My Daughter"

2. Host Clubs and the Mechanism of "Accounts Receivable"

3. The Network of Malicious Scouts and the Flow of Mediation

4. Key Points and Limitations of the Revised Entertainment Business Law and Employment Security Law

5. Reading the Data: Debt and Employment Realities of Young Women

6. Interview with Those Involved: A Mother and Daughter Speak of Fear and Recovery

7. Consultation Services of Support Organizations and Public Institutions (Japanese/Multilingual)

8. Self-Defense Guide for Foreign Residents

9. Countermeasures Against Human Trafficking Abroad and Challenges in Japan: Learning from Comparisons

10. Conclusion: What Society Can Do to Break the Chains of Exploitation

1. Incident Overview: The Pitfall of "Not My Daughter"

On July 9, 2025, an online article from the Yomiuri Shimbun reported, "The Mother of a 'Normal Child' Learns Her Daughter Was Forced to Work at a Sex Establishment." A high school sophomore, Ms. A (pseudonym), was introduced by a friend to a host club where she was made to order champagne costing over 20,000 yen per glass, accruing a debt of approximately 3 million yen in just two months.news.livedoor.com

The club threatened that unless she repaid 700,000 yen of the "accounts receivable" immediately, they would send the bill to her family. She was introduced to a delivery health service in Shinjuku, which promised a high daily income of 80,000 yen, but in reality, more than half was deducted for penalties and dormitory fees. During the four weeks until her escape, Ms. A served up to seven customers a day, suffering severe physical and mental damage.

2. Host Clubs and the Mechanism of "Accounts Receivable"

2-1. Why Does "Accounts Receivable" Grow?

Hosts sweet-talk customers with phrases like "You can pay next time" or "You can earn it," stimulating their need for approval. Bottle prices range from 20,000 to 500,000 yen, and on event days, prices can double. If payments are delayed, the host in charge, acting as a "creditor," uses a repayment management app to visualize reminders and may send DMs to family or school from anonymous SNS accounts.whitebear-seo.co.jp

2-2. The Structure of Illegal Mediation

Hosts do not have the legal qualifications to collect debts, but club owners or external scouts collaborate to send customers to "cooperating stores" such as delivery health services and soaplands. A "scout back" of 30,000 to 50,000 yen per successful referral occurs, creating a system that makes it easier for hosts to collect accounts receivable. Article 63 of the Employment Security Law prohibits unauthorized paid job placement, but understanding the actual situation is extremely difficult.gladiator.jp

3. The Network of Malicious Scouts and the Flow of Mediation

1. Debt Formation: High Debt at Host Clubs

2. Psychological Restraint: Sweet Talk, SNS Exposure, Family Threats

3. Employment Mediation: Introduction to Sex Establishments via Line or Telegram

4. Labor Exploitation: Fines and Penalties Leading to Unpaid Labor

5. Debt Expansion: Increased Debt Due to Hotel and Costume Fees
   
   

In the spring of 2025, a scout group earning over 100 million yen annually in mediation fees was busted by the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department.youtube.com

4. Key Points and Limitations of the Revised Entertainment Business Law and Employment Security Law

According to the National Police Agency, the number of host-related referrals increased by 42% year-on-year in the month following the revised enforcement. However, it is considered just the tip of the iceberg, and support organizations warn that "law revisions alone cannot eradicate the root of the damage."

5. Reading the Data: Debt and Employment Realities of Young Women

• Average Accounts Receivable: 1.462 million yen (Survey by Support NPO, FY2024, n=218)

• Rate of Introduction to Sex Establishments: 68.4% (Group with Accounts Receivable Over 500,000 yen)

• Rate of Scout Contact via SNS: 84.1% (Under 20 years old)

• Number of Cases Prosecuted by the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department ("Host Accounts Receivable-Related Human Trafficking")

  • 2023: 27 cases

  • 2024: 45 cases

  • First Half of 2025: 38 cases (31% increase year-on-year)

6. Interview with Those Involved: A Mother and Daughter Speak of Fear and Recovery

Mother, Ms. B (47)"My daughter stopped coming home late and stopped using her commuter pass. When I pressed her, she cried and said, 'If I don't repay the debt, I'll be killed'..."

Daughter, Ms. A (18)"At first, I went to the host club as an extension of my fan activities. Before I knew it, I was threatened that 'if you skip out on the debt, your family will be involved,' and I couldn't escape."

After the interview, Ms. A, accompanied by a lawyer from a support organization, engaged in settlement negotiations, and the host side withdrew their claim as they could not provide legal grounds. She has now returned to a part-time high school and is receiving counseling with her mother.

7. Consultation Services of Support Organizations and Public Institutions (Japanese/Multilingual)

8. Self-Defense Guide for Foreign Residents

1. Beware of Job Offers with "High Income" and "Short-Term OK": Working in a manner inconsistent with your residence status risks deportation.

2. Passport Custody is Prohibited: Penalized under Article 19 of the Passport Act.

3. Do Not Sign Loan Agreements: Legal binding occurs even if you cannot read Japanese.

4. Share an SOS Word: Establish emergency contact methods with friends or the embassy.

5. Utilize Local Government Foreign Resident Consultation Services: Some municipalities have English interpreters stationed at labor standards offices and Hello Work.

9. Countermeasures Against Human Trafficking Abroad and Challenges in Japan: Learning from Comparisons