A new method of catching hosts in Minami, Osaka has been revealed, and the number of invitations using free information centers is increasing
Quick Look
- Interviews with investigators have revealed that young men who lure customers to host clubs near Dotonbori in Minami, Osaka, are using a new trick to lure women into the club, using free information centers.
- According to the Osaka Prefectural Police, from January to June 2026, 86 people were arrested on suspicion of soliciting customers in the prefecture's downtown area, and 74 of them were soliciting customers at entertainment restaurants.
- While traditional methods are being regulated by the revised Entertainment Business Act, a new method of attracting customers using host catch is becoming more widespread.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
In Minami, Osaka, attracting customers to host clubs is commonplace, and is prohibited by the Entertainment Business Act and the Osaka Prefecture Nuisance Prevention Ordinance. In June 2025, the amended Entertainment Business Act went into effect, prohibiting the payment of ``love affairs'' and ``scout backs''. As a result, traditional methods of attracting customers are being regulated, and new methods are being sought.
An intersection near Dotonbori in Minami, Osaka on a night in early August.
About 10 to 15 young men, wearing T-shirts and shorts, blended into the crowd and watched passersby.
They are mainly called ``host catches'' who invite customers to host clubs.
In this article, we will explore a new method of catching people who appear to have used "free information centers" through interviews with people involved in the investigation. In the second half, we will explain the origins and history of the free information center.
They don't even look at men, couples, or foreign tourists.
They start to move when they spot young women walking alone or in groups of two or three.
“Sister, how is your first time?”
“Would you like to go host?”
A voice that sounds like a greeting. Osaka City's anti-tout agents, who were on guard, quickly approached the area and blocked it with a loudspeaker.
"Touting is prohibited. Please ignore them even if they talk to you."
Every time a young woman passed by, this kind of ``attack and defense'' was repeated.
Such behavior is prohibited under the Entertainment Business Law and the Osaka Prefecture Nuisance Prevention Ordinance, and there are penalties.
According to the Osaka Prefectural Police Security Division, in the six months from January to June 2026, 86 people (an increase of 22 compared to the same period last year) were arrested on suspicion of touting plainclothes police officers in downtown areas in the prefecture.
Of those, the majority, 74, were solicitors at entertainment restaurants such as cabaret clubs and host clubs.
In April, three male hosts in their 20s who worked at the same host club were arrested by prefectural police on suspicion of violating the Entertainment Business Act (touting) after approaching a female investigator.
Regarding this host club, many customers had complained to the prefectural police that they were owed about 1.5 million yen. Prefectural police also raided this store.
"I'm a very handsome man."
The amended Entertainment Business Act, which went into effect in June 2025, prohibits ``love affairs,'' which take advantage of romantic feelings, and prohibits sex shops from paying ``scout backs'' as compensation for introducing cast members (employees).
Both are aimed at cracking down on malicious host clubs.
Interviews with the prefectural police have revealed that a new method of host-catch is spreading in an attempt to circumvent such regulations.
In May, a plainclothes female investigator was walking on the streets of Minami when a man in his 20s called out to her.
“I really want you to host.”
"I'm a very handsome man."
When the investigator showed interest, the man asked, ``Do you mind if I go to the information center once?''
When I followed the man, I found myself on a nearby road...
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Osaka Prefectural Police will strengthen crackdowns on touts using free information centers and expand home searches of those involved.
Likely · Within weeks
The number of touts posing as free information centers increased temporarily, but then decreased due to police response.
Possible · Within months
Open Questions
- What is the reality of the free information center and who operates it?
- What is the specific name of the host club involved in this scheme?
- How many cases of touts using free information centers have been arrested?
- How is the impact on foreign tourists evaluated?
