In a disturbing case in Tokyo, a 12-year-old girl from Thailand was allegedly coerced into providing sexual services at a massage parlor. The owner of the establishment, Masayuki Hosono, who is 52 years old, appeared in Tokyo District Court where he denied the charges against him, claiming he was unaware of the girl’s age. According to the indictment, the girl was forced to engage in lewd acts with male customers, raising severe concerns about the exploitation of minors and human trafficking.

The young girl had come to Japan in June 2025 with her mother, who subsequently left her alone in the country. During her time at the massage parlor, she reportedly had to sleep in a room rented by the establishment and was given minimal food in return for her labor. Reports indicate that she was instructed by her mother to take part in these activities, which adds a troubling layer to the situation. It took until September for the girl to escape the circumstances of her exploitation, when she visited the Tokyo Immigration Bureau alone and was later recognized as a victim of human trafficking before returning to Thailand in December.

The legal proceedings have also implicated a female manager of the parlor, a Thai national, who is accused of acting as a broker by introducing the girl to the establishment. While the case highlights severe breaches of child welfare laws, it raises further questions about the accountability of the clients who engaged in these unlawful acts, as they have not been prosecuted as part of this case. This incident poses serious implications for international efforts to combat human trafficking and protect vulnerable populations.