The National Police Agency is putting forward amendments to the “Entertainment and Amusement Act” to curb the rise in cases of women being forced into sex work due to large debts accumulated at host clubs.
They include restrictions on a finder’s fee scheme named “scout backs” that are payouts by adult businesses to mediators, typically hosts and street scouts who introduce sex work to females.
A think tank held in July, consisting of legal experts, law enforcement, and members from the food and beverage industry, discussed the issue and presented ideas on countermeasures that could be implemented to mitigate the issue.
In the meeting, the National Police Agency explained the “scout back” scheme to the group, which is an ongoing payment scheme based on the sales of the working prostitute(s), which raises issues about the malicious practice of indebting individuals as much as possible by the parties involved.
Under current laws, individuals can be prosecuted for introducing women to these types of establishments, but there are no laws covering the businesses paying for these services.
In conclusion, the National Policy Agency will revise the “Entertainment and Amusement Business Act” to include restrictions on “scout backs” paid by adult establishments, making them liable for prosecution based on the think tank group’s findings.
©NHK 10/3/2024
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