Man arrested in Tokyo over suspected human trafficking of 12-year-old Thai girl | NHK WORLD-JAPAN News

Tokyo police have arrested a man for allegedly forcing a 12-year-old Thai girl to work at his massage parlor. They suspect the case may involve human trafficking.

The Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department arrested 51-year-old Hosono Masayuki on suspicion of violating the Labor Standards Act for allegedly forcing a child under the age of 15 to work.

Police say Hosono, who operates a private-room massage parlor in Tokyo’s Bunkyo Ward, is suspected of having employed the girl for about a month in June and July, and making her provide sexual services to customers.

They have not disclosed whether the suspect has admitted to the allegations.

The police say the girl entered Japan in late June with her mother with a 15-day “Temporary Visitor” status. Her mother left the country in mid-July, leaving her alone. The girl was reportedly forced to sleep in the massage parlor’s kitchen.

She reportedly said her mother took her to the massage parlor on the day they arrived in Japan, and told her to work there. She also said she was told to provide sexual services to customers, which she did repeatedly.

The case was uncovered in mid-September, when she visited the Tokyo Regional Immigration Services Bureau. She reportedly told officials she was forced to work, and she wanted to return to her country and go to school.