Overview of the Verdict
On November 13, 2024, the Tokyo District Court sentenced defendant Satoshi Yamamoto (39), who operated the large members-only prostitution-brokering website "○○ Club" (pseudonym), to three years in prison (an unsuspended term) and ordered the forfeiture of 230 million yen for violating the Anti-Prostitution Act (baishun boshi-ho) through the procuring of prostitution.
The presiding judge stated: "The defendant carried out the procuring of prostitution in an organized manner and for profit over a long period, and the scale and proceeds were exceptionally large. It is necessary to deal strictly with the brokering of sexual services using digital means."
The Reality of the Site
The site the defendant operated had roughly 8,000 registered users nationwide (2,500 women and 5,500 men). Monthly sales exceeded 6 million yen at their peak. The defendant managed part of the proceeds in cryptocurrency and transferred some of it to overseas accounts.
Significance of the Forfeiture
The huge forfeiture of 230 million yen is intended to strengthen the deterrent effect against digital sex crimes. A lawyer assessed the ruling, saying, "Stripping away criminal proceeds is one of the most effective sanctions against criminals who act on economic rationality."
This article was compiled based on publicly available information and court records.