Police arrested a 31-year-old business owner Tuesday on suspicion of forcing over 150 women into prostitution at upscale restaurants in Osaka Prefecture in order to pay back massive debt they incurred as customers at a host club.
The suspect, Tateki Okuda, and four others, who had already been arrested last month for facilitating prostitution, were newly arrested for offering venues for prostitution. Police allege that Okuda provided the venues at his high-end Japanese restaurants, known as ryо̄tei, in the Matsushima-shinchi entertainment district in the city of Osaka from early April through mid-October.
Police believe numerous women were involved in illicit activities at Okuda's establishments and are working to uncover the full extent of the operation.
According to investigators, resumes and other documents seized during the raid suggest that more than 150 women were registered across Okuda’s five ryо̄tei, including the establishment Tenhime. The Matsushima-shinchi district hosts approximately 85 such establishments, and officials estimate that a significant number of women may be working throughout the area.
Okuda also operates a host club in the city. Investigators believe Okuda encouraged female patrons who accrued hefty unpaid tabs to work at his brothels to pay off their debts.
Police are currently questioning Okuda and the women involved as part of their investigation.
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