Revised Entertainment Law Tightens Screws On Host Clubs

Jun 24 (News On Japan) - Osaka police held a briefing ahead of the enforcement of a revised entertainment business law that strengthens regulations on malicious host clubs.

At the meeting organized by Osaka Prefectural Police, an officer explained: "It will be a violation if you ask customers to buy champagne by saying things like 'If you don't order, we have to break up' or 'I don't want to break up, so please buy champagne'."

About 200 host club operators attended the briefing. The revised law, which takes effect on June 28, prohibits so-called "romance sales," where hosts exploit customers' feelings, as well as coercive practices such as forcing customers to work in the sex industry to repay debts accumulated through unpaid tabs.

A male host club operator who attended the meeting said, "I want to protect the environment where customers can come to relieve stress and leave happily."

The Osaka Prefectural Police urged operators to comply with the revised law and conduct business responsibly.

Source: KTV NEWS

Black Smoke Engulfs Fukuoka Expressway

Thick black smoke billowed across an expressway in Fukuoka on May 11th after a fire broke out beneath an elevated section of the road, temporarily blocking visibility for drivers and forcing a partial road closure.

Old Building Wall Collapses Onto Taxi

Part of the exterior wall of a commercial building collapsed in Osaka on May 10th, causing a nearby highway signpost to topple onto a taxi in what authorities suspect may have been linked to the building’s aging condition.

Camera Captures Bear Tearing Through Hokkaido Neighborhood

A brown bear was caught on camera running at high speed through a residential area in Hokkaido, as sightings of unusually large bears continue to spread across the region this spring.

Tokyo Chosen to Host Los Angeles Olympic Qualifying Series

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced on May 7th that Tokyo has been selected as a host city for the Olympic Qualifying Series, where athletes will compete for places at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

Thousands Pull Sacred Logs Ahead of Ise Grand Shrine Renewal

The "Okihiki" ceremony, in which citizens transport timber to the Outer Shrine of Ise Grand Shrine ahead of its next Shikinen Sengu reconstruction seven years from now, began in Ise City, Mie Prefecture, on May 9th.

MEDIA CHANNELS

MORE Entertainment NEWS

Curtain Falls on Osaka’s Beloved Theater

The Osaka Shochikuza theater, which has entertained audiences in Osaka’s Dotonbori district for more than a century through films, kabuki and live performances, will close in June 2026 due to aging facilities and the high cost of renovations.

Sturgeon Biting Keeper’s Arm Sparks Online Frenzy

A video of a giant fish biting a keeper’s arm at an aquarium in Hokkaido has surged in popularity, racking up 60 million views online and sparking widespread curiosity about the unusual performance.

Three Living National Treasure Puppeteers Share the Stage!

Today we turn out attention to the magical world of the puppet theatre! (Kabuki In-Depth)

Mizuno Makes Full-Scale Entry into Esports Market

Mizuno has made a full-scale entry into the esports market, unveiling gaming controllers and chairs that draw on its expertise in sports equipment, as the company seeks to establish a new source of revenue in the rapidly growing sector.

Shiki Theatre Company Unveils New Nagoya Venue

A new theater operated by the Shiki Theatre Company was unveiled on May 1st in Nagoya’s Atsuta Ward, replacing the former Nagoya Shiki Theatre that closed in February, with the new MTG Nagoya Shiki Theatre increasing seating capacity by about 100 while prioritizing clear stage visibility from every seat.