‘Toyoko Emperor' arrested over sex with 17-year-old girl
TOKYO (TR) – Tokyo Metropolitan Police have arrested a 22-year-old man considered the leader of a group of youths who frequent the Kabukicho red-light district for engaging in sex with a teenage girl, reports the Sankei Shimbun (June 26).
On May , Masaharu Kimura, who goes by the name 'Harupi,' is alleged to have engaged in lewd acts with the high school girl, then 17, at a hotel in Shinjuku Ward while knowing she was under 18.
Upon his arrest on suspicion of violating the Tokyo Youth Healthy Development Ordinance, Kimura admitted to the charges. 'I invited her because I thought there might be a chance,' he said. Masaharu Kimura (X)
In the heart of Kabukicho, many runaways and delinquents gather around the Toho Cinemas complex. They are popularized on social media as toyoko — or 'Toyoko Kids,' a reference to the complex.
Kimura was known as the 'Emperor of Toyoko' by some of the kids.
In April, Kimura met the girl through an acquaintance. They then began communicating on social media. He later invited her to the hotel for their next meeting.
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