悪質ホストクラブ、２０３件処分　取り締まり強化で―警察庁

　客に「売掛金」（ツケ払い）として多額の借金を負わせ、売春などをさせる悪質ホストクラブ問題で、警察庁は４日、１９都道府県で今年１～２月、風営法違反などで２０３件の行政処分を行ったと明らかにした。同庁は昨年１１月、取り締まりを推進するよう都道府県警に通達を出した。
　警察庁によると、ホストクラブは全国に約１０００店あるとされる。３３都道府県で昨年１１～１２月、風営法に基づき、延べ７２９店に立ち入りを実施。今年１～２月には料金の表示義務違反などで行政処分を行った。５件は営業停止命令だった。（2024/04/04-10:20）

Japan's National Police Agency has issued 203 administrative penalties in relation to the issue of malicious host clubs in the first two months of 2024, it was learned Thursday.
   The punishments over violations of the entertainment business law and other regulations were given in 19 prefectures, after the agency urged prefectural police departments last November to carry out crackdowns.
   According to the NPA, there are some 1,000 host clubs, where "host" male drinking companions serve customers, around the country. Malicious host clubs charge customers extortionate fees for drinks and services sold on credit, and force them into prostitution in order to collect the debt.
   Police raided 729 host clubs in 33 prefectures in November and December last year based on the entertainment business law and issued administrative penalties this January and February for violations such as failing to appropriately display prices. Five of such penalties were business suspension orders.
   Police have stepped up arrests in relation to the issue, with Tokyo's Metropolitan Police Department arresting a host in March for allegedly taking away a woman's health insurance card and attempting to force her into prostitution to repay debt.