Several criminal cases involving social workers tasked with protecting vulnerable women have dented the reputation of Japan’s non-profits
When Rina (not her real name) first sought refuge at a Tokyo-based non-profit organisation last year, she was struck by the kindness of one of its social workers – someone she believed was dedicated to protecting runaway children and women seeking to escape from the city’s sex work industry.
Rina said: “I wanted to believe he is not doing that. He’s a safe guy, he’s a superhero, he’s trustworthy. I’m pretty disappointed because the organisation was [supposed to be] a safe place.”
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Those concerns have heightened since May, when police arrested Yoshihide Tanaka, 44, former secretary general of Nippon Kakekomidera and co-representative of Seiboren. The two organisations have been campaigning for tighter rules for the adult entertainment industry to protect women and “Toyoko kids”, or street children in the red-light district of Kabukicho in the Japanese capital.
