16-Year-Old Female to 50s Male Caught in Prostitution
"Earned 6.35 Million Won Daily"
"Used for Idol 'Push'"
A high school girl in Japan has caused a stir after it was revealed that she engaged in prostitution to support a male idol she admires.
According to local media such as NHK and TV Asahi on the 23rd, a man in his 50s, Mr. A, was arrested by police on the 15th at a hotel in Kabukicho, Shinjuku, Tokyo. Mr. A, an ordinary office worker, is accused of handing cash to a 16-year-old high school girl waiting for clients for prostitution and engaging in lewd acts. Local police confirmed that Mr. A was seen entering and exiting the hotel after conversing with the high school girl. He reportedly claimed, "I admit paying money for sexual relations, but I did not know the woman was underage."
During police questioning, the high school girl shocked investigators by stating, "I engaged in prostitution to support the male idol I like." She said, "I did prostitution about three times a week, meeting an average of three clients per day, earning 700,000 yen (approximately 6.35 million won). I used this money to 'push' the male idol I support." 'Push' refers to a culture where fans help their favorite celebrities gain public exposure; in Korea, it is interpreted as 'boosting' them. In the case of idols, fans often buy albums in bulk to increase sales, and agencies sometimes get directly involved.
In response, the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department stated, "This is the first time lewd acts involving females under 18 have been detected," adding, "We are strengthening crackdowns on people soliciting clients for prostitution in public places such as parks and streets."
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