Cops to offer ¥100,000 for tips that catch sex traffickers

The National Police Agency will start offering rewards of up to ¥100,000 from Oct. 1 for information leading to the arrest of anyone forcing minors or foreigners to be prostitutes or hostesses, officials said.

The campaign is being carried out in conjunction with Guardian Angels Japan Inc., a nonprofit organization of public security volunteers. The red-capped Guardian Angels will be in charge of accepting tips via a toll-free number, and the police are calling on the public to contribute anonymously, if necessary.

The police broke with tradition in May and started offering rewards of up to ¥3 million for information on unsolved murders and other serious crimes, including the slaying of English teacher Lindsay Ann Hawker earlier this year.

The latest move is aimed at catching those who force people under 18 to work in sexual entertainment clubs or as prostitutes. It is also designed to find those dealing in human trafficking.

Guardian Angels Japan was commissioned to handle the hotline as some informants may be wary about talking to the police.

The Guardian Angels will assign callers an ID number and password before relaying any tips to police. This will allow informants to prove their identity and claim the reward.