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Japan Issues First Order Under Host-Club Romance‑Solicitation Ban in Kabukicho as Police Re‑Arrest Host

Regulators warn continued violations could trigger business suspensions.

Overview

  • The Tokyo Metropolitan Public Safety Commission on Feb. 18 issued a corrective order to two AXEL by ACQUA group clubs in Kabukicho, marking the first nationwide enforcement of the June 2025 revision banning 'irokoi eigyo' practices.
  • Police said host Takuto Takeoka, 27, was re-arrested by Feb. 20 on suspicion of concealing his host status and using matching apps to solicit women, and he has remained silent in questioning.
  • Investigators report victims were pressed into large payments, including one woman who paid about ¥6 million and another who paid ¥2.5 million after borrowing from five consumer lenders.
  • According to police, complaints have come from dozens of women, and a phone seized from the suspect listed about 400 women with personal and asset details and tracked borrowed sums.
  • Authorities note that failure to follow the order or particularly serious violations could lead to business suspension or permit revocation under the revised law.