The Metropolitan Police Department has arrested a 48-year-old Tokyo ward assembly member on suspicion of paying to have sex with teenage girls, in violation of the law banning child prostitution.
Hiroyoshi Matsumoto, a New Komeito member of the Edogawa Ward Assembly, was arrested on Thursday. Police also arrested Hiromichi Maruyama, a 26-year-old club owner, for allegedly introducing Matsumoto to the girls.
Maruyama, from Katsushika Ward, was charged with violating the Child Welfare Law. He owns a club that offers sexual services.
Investigators suspect that Matsumoto gave Maruyama 100,000 yen in cash on July 4 and was introduced to two high school girls, both 16, with whom he allegedly committed indecent acts at a hotel in Arakawa Ward.
Police quoted Matsumoto as saying that, sometime around May this year, he read an advertisement in an evening paper about Maruyama's club and registered as a member there.
He has admitted to being introduced to and having sex with several young girls working at the club some 20 or more times, police said, adding that he also filmed the encounters.
"I became so engrossed in it that I even borrowed 4 million yen in consumer loans. I apologize for committing acts unbecoming of an adult," Matsumoto reportedly told investigators.
First elected in April 1995, Matsumoto is currently serving his second term in the Edogawa Ward Assembly. He serves on its education committee.