Yoshiwara soapland managers arrested in multi-billion yen prostitution crackdown

Nine individuals, including managers of two soapland establishments in Yoshiwara, Taito Ward, have been arrested on suspicion of violating the Prostitution Prevention Law. The suspects, including Eldor general manager Yasuhisa Miki (54) and Danshaku manager Mitsuhiro Oguri (53), are accused of providing private rooms for prostitution despite knowing that female employees were engaging in the practice.

The investigation was triggered in April following reports that certain establishments were paying rewards to scout groups. Authorities noted that a large portion of the 23 employees at Eldor were reportedly introduced through these scouts. Police are currently investigating the involvement of these scout groups in the operation.

The two establishments, which are part of the same group, reportedly generated approximately 4.7 to 5 billion yen in revenue over a five-year period, averaging roughly 70 million yen per month. While eight of the nine suspects have admitted to the charges, one employee claimed ignorance of the legal violations.