TOKYO –
Tokyo police have raided two institutions in Shinjuku’s Kabukicho leisure district suspected of repeatedly overcharging clients introduced in by international road touts, with investigators believing the companies had been focusing on worldwide vacationers visiting Japan.
The Metropolitan Police Department arrested 5 individuals in reference to the 2 institutions, together with 62-year-old Ambrose Oshita Ekueruwundo, the supervisor of a karaoke bar in Kabukicho, and one other particular person. The two are suspected of permitting feminine workers to entertain male clients with out the required enterprise license on November 11.
Three others, together with 35-year-old Arata Kashihara, the supervisor of one other institution, had been arrested on suspicion of obstructing police inspections.
According to investigators, each companies are believed to have repeatedly charged extreme quantities to clients introduced in by international touts working within the leisure district.
Police stated Ekueruwundo has remained silent throughout questioning, whereas the opposite 4 suspects have admitted to the allegations.
Before the raids, males believed to be foreigners had been noticed approaching worldwide vacationers and different guests on the streets of Kabukicho, apparently making an attempt to influence them to enter close by institutions.
The crackdown comes as complaints involving fraudulent bank card fees and different suspected scams focusing on international guests proceed to rise within the space.
According to police, roughly 250 complaints from international clients reporting unauthorized bank card transactions and related issues had been acquired inside the jurisdiction of Shinjuku Police Station between January and the top of October 2026.
The Metropolitan Police Department is stepping up enforcement in opposition to institutions suspected of exploiting vacationers and different guests by way of extreme billing and fraudulent fee practices.
Source: TBS