Police confirm 114 “JK” biz outlets featuring schoolgirls

September 28, 2017

TOKYO- At least 114 outlets of so-called JK business, in which high school and other girls dressed in school uniforms, swimsuits and other costumes treat customers, were in operation as of the end of June, it was learned Thursday.

A National Police Agency survey has put the number of outlets at 78 in Tokyo and 28 in the western prefecture of Osaka. Together, they accounted for 93 pct of the nationwide total.

JK business is seen as a hotbed of crime as some shops offer sexual services as an "off-menu option." JK is short for "joshi kosei," which means high school girls.

In Tokyo, an ordinance took effect in July to strengthen regulations, requiring JK business operators to submit notifications and banning them from hiring minors under 18.

Similar regulations are planned in Osaka and Kanagawa prefectures.

The NPA will carry out an additional survey to confirm the number of JK business outlets as of the end of December.

Outside Tokyo and Osaka, there were three JK business outlets each in the northeastern prefecture of Miyagi and the central prefecture of Aichi, with Kanagawa and the central prefecture of Shizuoka having one each, according to the NPA. Jiji Press