Kitakyushu cops’ indiscretions come under scrutiny

On May 18, Hiroshi Komabashiri, superintendent of police affairs at Kyushu Prefectural Police headquarters, bowed before reporters and issued a “deep apology” over the recent indiscretions of the men in blue.

As Friday (6/6) reports, between March and May of this year alone, three Fukuoka cops had been arrested and charged with serious offenses. One involved a 48-year-old inspector in the mechanized riot police, who was accused of attempted rape of a woman he’d met in the course of an investigation.

The case that really took the cake, however, was that of Hideaki Maeoka, a 58-year-old patrol inspector assigned to the Tobata police station in Kitakyushu City, who was arrested on suspicion of violating the juvenile protection and anti-prostitution laws.

“The suspect’s main work involved making the rounds in a patrol car, but he got involved in illegal ‘moonlighting’ at a ‘deri-heru’ (delivery health, or outcall sex service) operated by a female acquaintance,” a reporter for a nationally circulated daily tells Friday (6/6). “He conducted job interviews and drove the girls to and from their assignations. He also took calls to the shop.”

Licensed deri-heru services are legal, but limited to erotic massage culminating in oral or manual stimulation. And, needless to say, they may not employ staff under age 18.

“He is also alleged to have interviewed a 17-year-old girl who applied for work at the shop, and personally gave her ‘orientation’ in ‘honban play’ (actual or simulated intercourse) techniques. He cautioned the girl not to let anyone know she was under 18. Last November it appears he fixed her up with a dozen or so customers.”

A 36-year veteran of the force, Maeoka had been assigned to Tobata, one of the seven wards in this industrial and port city of 5 million, from 2004.

“He didn’t talk much on the job,” an unnamed colleague tells the magazine. “He gave the impression of being quiet, and didn’t stand out. But he seldom missed work, and came across as a straight arrow. Up to now, he’d received three citations from the top.”

Maeoka’s moonlighting became known when the abovementioned 17-year-old girl was detained the previous November on suspicion of possessing illegal stimulant drugs. Under questioning, the girl admitted she had engaged in intercourse with deri-heru patrons on a regular basis. At this point the investigation was turned over to internal affairs, and in May, Maeoka’s involvement came to light.

“When police showed the girl his photograph, she recognized him as the one who’d interviewed her for the job. That prompted them to file charges,” says the abovementioned reporter.

The “club” where Maeoka moonlighted maintained a stable of about 10 fillies, who, according to its advertisements, ranged “from young girls to housewives.” It charged a basic fee of 13,000 yen for 60 minutes, with other “options” offered for between 5,000 to 10,000 yen.

“When the suspect was arrested, Eriko Ishimatsu, the former operator of the deri-heru (which had closed in February), and her 21-year-old son Kazuya, were also charged,” says the journalist. “They had first become acquainted over a decade ago, when he patronized the snack bar where she worked as a hostess.”

“Maeoka claims he ‘helped out,’ but was never involved in the running of the deri-heru operation,” the reporter continues. “But the prefectural police are alleging he was deeply involved, and getting paid for it.”

The day following the press conference, station chiefs in north Kyushu convened to mull countermeasures to prevent further infringements by their subordinates.

The fundamental duty of the police is “to protect and to serve,” remarks an indignant Friday. In the current state of affairs, the magazine asks, who can we depend upon to maintain law and order?

Latest 15 of 25 Total Comments Show All

saintseiya at 03:33 PM JST - 5th June

“He didn’t talk much on the job,” an unnamed colleague tells the magazine. “He gave the impression of being quiet, and didn’t stand out.

Can this be taken as a hint??? I mean then the J-police would have to arrest 80% of the male population over here . . .lol
thepro at 03:45 PM JST - 5th June

Hundreds of Kitakyushu cops will now be laying low until this blows over
eleewhm at 03:49 PM JST - 5th June

reading this article seems to give us the more insight of what a deri-heru does.. rather than the title of the article itself
GW at 05:59 PM JST - 5th June

people people, the editors of FRIDAY probably EDITED the original blurbs and added the horse stable comments, in case you dont FRIDAY is one of the gossip rags that is exactly why it was written the way it was to sensationalize things.

In anycase J-cops are just doing what comes naturally for j-men arent they, shoganai right! Pathetic
capone at 06:52 PM JST - 5th June

only in japan would attempted rape fall under the label of 'indiscretions'
YadotNapaj at 09:59 PM JST - 5th June

Using underage children is bad, but if the women are voluntarily working at the "deri heru" of their own free will, what's the problem?

They are performing a valuable and a very enjoyable service to their clientele. Some of the female workers may even derive some sexual satisfaction in performing their assigned tasks.

I wonder if any lesbians attended the "deri heru", or if there are any "deri heru" for straight women where guys would perform the manual and oral services to the women clients, in addition of course to the massages. I know a lot of guys who would enjoy a job like that.

I agree with my fellow posters that the term "phillies" is pejorative and should only be used when referring to horses, Chase Utley or other members of the Philadelphia Phillies. In referring to the workers at the "deri heru" "Hands" or "sets of hands" would be a little bit more PC, and would work well both in English and Japanese.

"Chicks" or "Chickadees" would be better than "phillies" but still a tad demeaning.

Does anyone know if you get the addresses of these "deri heru" places in Tokyo on line?
usaexpat at 11:38 PM JST - 5th June

I don't know YadotNapai thsoe guys who would enjoy servicing female clients should consider that their clients will come in all shapes, sizes and ages (yuck need I say more). Let's just call them prostitutes and be done with it. Anyway, as I posted before the mistake the copper made was hiring a 17 year old otherwise it probably wouldn't have made the news.
netrek at 05:52 AM JST - 6th June

So corrupt! Shameful.
apecNetworks at 07:47 AM JST - 6th June

This is nooooo good.
YadotNapaj at 01:21 PM JST - 6th June

Why noooo good?

It is really pretty funny...

Not corrupt, nor shameful....just people being people.

Everyone's gotta make a buck the best way they can....

Although as usaexpat sez....it can get a little yucky....
knucklerap at 08:33 PM JST - 6th June

port city of 5 million

the population is a shade under a million
1proudamerican at 10:50 PM JST - 6th June

she persued the job.is there a difference between 17yrs and 250 days old and 18yrs old. right or wrong she chose this path.im not pointing any fingers or judging anyone but if she chose not to lell the police how she made her money no ones the wiser.but whats alarming to me,is she may even be younger then 17 if she was dum enough to admit her line of work on top of the dope charge.
KitsuneYoukai at 05:09 AM JST - 12th June

This isn't funny but it is shameful. "People being people." To some degree this is true but in no way right. Very pathetic. "People"-these girls are under age. That ranks it as shameless and criminal period!
shimajiro at 01:44 PM JST - 12th June

Licensed deri-heru services are legal, but limited to erotic massage culminating in oral or manual stimulation.

Wow, that would meet the legal definition of prostitution in the U.S. I didn't realize such was legal recreation in Japan. Do Japanese wives and courts consider it to be adultery and/or grounds for divorce?
westurn at 01:54 PM JST - 12th June

Again, I've worked with these creeps at the police department, this is common ! Many of the lot I worked with would make maps for each other of the best places to go. Yes indeed, some of Japan's finest spending your tax money on worthwhile endeavors... am I right Cleo ?