Chinese Woman Arrested Over Illegal Sex Business in Banned Zone in Tokyo's Asakusabashi; Two Thai Women Allegedly Made to Work Illegally
This article organizes publicly available information into a single account. Where it describes an arrest or an ongoing investigation, that reflects only one stage of criminal procedure and does not mean guilt has been established (the presumption of innocence applies). We will update this article as new information becomes available, including the outcome of prosecution, non-prosecution, or trial. This article is not intended to unfairly disparage any individual, group, nationality, ethnicity, or belief, and aims to provide objective, fact-based information.
The Metropolitan Police Department's Kuramae Police Station announced on August 5, 2026 that it had arrested Li Jing, 50, a Chinese national and operator of a private massage parlor called "Relaxation AINSEL" near Asakusabashi Station in Taito Ward, Tokyo, on suspicion of violating the Act on Control and Improvement of Amusement Business (operating in a prohibited zone) and the Immigration Control Act (facilitating illegal employment). According to a report by the Sankei Shimbun, she is suspected of operating a business providing sexual services from female employees to male customers within an area where sex-related businesses are banned, and of causing two Thai national employees to work illegally.
The shop is believed to have generated approximately 160 million yen in sales since opening in 2018, with suspicions that the provision of sexual services intensified since the COVID-19 pandemic. The man believed to be the shop's actual operator, Li's husband, 50, has already been referred to prosecutors on a separate charge of violating the same law. Li has denied the allegations under questioning, reportedly saying, "My husband did this, not me."
Current status: Whether the case will be referred for prosecution and how the residency status of the two Thai employees will be handled remain unclear as of this writing. This article will be updated as further details emerge.
Other reported enforcement cases involving foreign nationals operating sex-related businesses include one in which six Chinese nationals were arrested on suspicion of arranging prostitution for Thai women. Illegal sex-business operations involving foreign communities continue to be uncovered across Tokyo.