Tokyo Police Arrest Business Operator and Three Women for Livestreaming Indecent Content

The Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department has taken significant action by arresting Yuji Kitagawa, a business operator, and three associates, all women aged between their 20s and 40s, for their involvement in public indecency. This unprecedented case in Japan involves the livestreaming of unfiltered sexual content on the adult platform Stripchat, which is recognized as one of the largest of its kind globally.

Investigators reported that the illicit streams took place between March and August, where participants engaged in explicit acts for an online audience. Under Japan's Penal Code, performing or broadcasting indecent acts is considered public indecency, which contributes to the legal context of the arrest. Kitagawa, being just 28 years old, was active on social media, especially platform X, previously known as Twitter, recruiting performers with offers highlighting the potential for significant earnings tailored to various individuals.

The streaming setup was professionally organized, with performers utilizing a studio established by Kitagawa. Revenue from viewer interactions was shared, as viewers spent virtual “coins” to access uncensored videos, with Kitagawa taking a cut of the earnings. An insider stated that women involved viewed their activities as a flexible part-time job that did not physically compromise them, lured by the promise of a high-paying vocation without direct contact.

In a related case earlier in July, police apprehended four individuals engaged in similar livestreams on Stripchat. Reports indicated that one individual livestreamed secretly to meet mortgage obligations. An investigative source highlighted the rising trend of women participating in sexually explicit livestreaming, attracted by job offers promising high pay without direct physical engagement and limited risk of exposure.

Concerns have been outlined by authorities regarding the normalizing of such activities, comparing it to dubious part-time employment. A senior police official pointed out the extensive reach of their performances, with audiences potentially preserving footage that could lead to lasting consequences for the individuals involved.