Japan’s red-light district outreach under scrutiny after NGO misconduct claims

When Rina (not her real name) first sought refuge at a Tokyo-based non-profit organisation last year, she was struck by the kindness of one of its social workers – someone she believed was dedicated to protecting runaway children and women seeking to escape from the city’s sex work industry.

Months later, Rina was out with a friend – a woman battling host club debts – when they ran into the social worker at a restaurant. The trio subsequently adjourned to karaoke, but Rina was left shocked when her friend and the social worker began snorting what appeared to be white powder while in the dimly lit room.

Rina said: “I wanted to believe he is not doing that. He’s a safe guy, he’s a superhero, he’s trustworthy. I’m pretty disappointed because the organisation was [supposed to be] a safe place.”

Her experience reflects growing concerns that some social workers in Japan may have overstepped professional boundaries – in some cases, exploiting the very people they are meant to protect.

Those concerns have heightened since May, when police arrested Yoshihide Tanaka, 44, former secretary general of Nippon Kakekomidera and co-representative of Seiboren. The two organisations have been campaigning for tighter rules for the adult entertainment industry to protect women and “Toyoko kids”, or street children in the red-light district of Kabukicho in the Japanese capital.

Police arrested Tanaka after he was found in possession of cocaine. He was arrested in Shinjuku alongside a young woman who, according to police, had sought his advice about host clubs. Both Tanaka and the woman later tested positive for cocaine.

  

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