Japanese police rescue 12-year-old Thai girl trafficked to Japan by her own mother

photo: GETTY IMAGES

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Several Japanese media outlets reported that a 12-year-old Thai girl was deceived by her own mother and trafficked to Japan. The girl went to report her situation to the Tokyo Regional Immigration Bureau, which led to the arrest of a massage parlor owner for forcing a minor under the age of 15 to work.

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The girl and her mother entered Japan in June on a short-term visa valid for 15 days. Upon arrival, the mother took the girl to a massage parlor and ordered her to start working immediately. Two weeks later, the mother left Japan.

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Over the course of one month, the girl was forced to serve more than 60 customers, earning about 600,000 yen (approximately 120,000 baht). All the money was taken and divided between the shop owner and the mother. During this time, the girl was forced to live in the parlor’s kitchen.

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In mid-September, the girl decided to go to the Tokyo Immigration Office to ask for help, saying she wanted to return to Thailand to continue her studies and believed her mother would not come back for her.

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The Police arrested Hosono Masayuki on suspicion of violating the Labor Standards Act for allegedly forcing a child under the age of 15 to work./ Photo: tvtokyobiz

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This led to the arrest of Hosono Masayuki, a 51-year-old massage parlor owner, on charges of violating Japan’s Labor Standards Act by employing a child under 15. Japanese authorities suspect the case is linked to human trafficking.

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Some Japanese citizens expressed the opinion that the police should not only prosecute the shop owner but also take legal action against the more than 60 customers who used the girl’s services.

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At present, the girl is under protection as a victim of human trafficking. The case is being handled collaboratively by Japanese police, immigration officers, the Royal Thai Embassy, the International Organization for Migration (IOM), and other related agencies.

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SOURCE:   NHK WORLD JAPAN

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Source of material: official media /online news