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4 Japanese basketball players sent home from Asian Games after spending night with prostitutes in hotel

98 Comments
By Amlan Chakraborty

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98 Comments
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What do you think the Olympics will be like?

1 ( +1 / -0 )

So these guys have been caught with there trousers down, so what! does it really matter? does any one else think its a bit of a set up?

1 ( +1 / -0 )

@ Ashley Shiba

I am sure they signed a moral clause prior to leaving Japan's soil, and being Indonesia being a Muslim country and with their strict moral rules Japan and other Asian NON-Muslim countries must have done the same as prison time is a long one over there for such behavior as this.

See above.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

But it's a pretty ridiculous rule. Assuming they were in a place in which the women were there voluntarily, it's a ridiculous rule - there's no victim here, and for that matter I believe it's been shown that athletes perform better if they have sex before playing.

Prostutuion is illegal in Indonnesia, they broke the law by paying for sex.

Where does the article mentions 'the law'? It was an internal measurement by the JNOC.

Obvious is the poster not familiar with the current legislation:

Indonesia

The Penal Code makes it illegal to facilitate of acts of obscenity by others as a livelihood (Article 296), trade in women (Article 297) and live on the earnings of a female sex worker (Article 506). These laws are rarely used. In practice the sex industry is governed by a range of sub-national, local laws, regulations and by-laws. These range from strict prohibitions on all sex work to officially tolerated brothel complexes  called lokalisasi. Tolerated brothels are in decline with one of the most well known lokalisasis, the Dolly, having been closed by police in 2013.

A vagrancy offence in Article 505 of the Penal Code is used to criminalise soliciting to sell sex.

Sex workers claim that police frequently extort money from them under threat of prosecution or detention and that violence and abuse by police including confiscation of condoms are common. They say that police target the most vulnerable sex workers - those who lack identification and residency documents, transgenders, ethnic minorities and drug using sex workers.

Regular STI and HIV testing of sex workers is required by municipal by-laws or by the 'house' rules of the lokalisasi and forced HIV testing has been reported.

Buying sex is not illegal expect insofar as it may contravene Sharia law.

Legal Approach(es)

*H: It is illegal to sell sex and organise commercial sex except where permission is given by a licensing authority that applies conditions such as health provisions and restrictions on how and where the person or business can operate (eg Senegal)*

Characteristics: 

1: There are laws or regulations that require sex workers to undergo medical examination (e.g. Latvia)

7: Different state or district level governments within one country can make rules on sex work so they are not uniform throughout the country. (e.g. Australia)

8: Laws such as public disorder, vagrancy, loitering and state recognised religious provisions are used to prosecute women who sell sex. (e.g. Malaysia)

9: There are laws to prevent women living with HIV from selling sex or requiring them to disclose their HIV status to clients (e.g. USA)

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Maybe they were just playing cards all night?

0 ( +1 / -1 )

From what I have read, the vast majority of prostitutes even in Indonesia are brought into it by their family or friends.

There is lots of propaganda that claims that, but from people I've known who lived there, both foreign and Indonesian, the majority of these bars in Indonesia are staffed by those who want to work there. The traffickers don't run shops, they are underground.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Too much ball handling and not enough strategy.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

From what I have read, the vast majority of prostitutes even in Indonesia are brought into it by their family or friends. Probably extended a loan by a pimp or middleman to create an ongoing debt which allows the parents to upgrade their circumstances and act as a marketing tool to lure other families into the trade.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

They are the ultimate victims. The pimp keeps 100% of the money, and just pays the prostitute's rent, basic food and bail to stop her clients from beating/not paying/killing her.

Not all prostitutes are sex trafficking victims. You seem to be confusing the two. Girls who are forced into prostitution as you describe are generally at the low end of the price scale and usually service local men, not affluent foreign visitors.

Many girls see prostitution as a better alternative to getting married to a local farmer and digging up potatoes for the rest of their lives. You can disagree with that, but it is their choice in life.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Jeez, leave the boys alone. It's a very slippery slope if we allow the miserable prudes to win.

only when wet, buddy

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Not just their moms... girlfriends, and wives if married...

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Exactly, what will they say to their moms?

Sorry, I got caught paying prostitutes for sex and was sent home early......

5 ( +5 / -0 )

Youre hypocritical saying if its consensual its ok. Are you so disingenuous that you cant see that surface "consent" is meaningless when youve been trafficked or otherwise coerced into being a prostitute?

In such a case it wouldn't be consensual. I've already given my thoughts on non-consensual sex, and they weren't the same as my thoughts on consensual sex. So again, what am I being hypocritical about?

They are the ultimate victims. The pimp keeps 100% of the money, and just pays the prostitute's rent, basic food and bail to stop her clients from beating/not paying/killing her.

Umm, you realize we're talking about Indonesia here, and not the US right? They don't have 'pimps' in Indonesia, they have bars where they work and get a salary - one significantly better than they can earn through unskilled labor.

-4 ( +1 / -5 )

They are the ultimate victims. The pimp keeps 100% of the money, and just pays the prostitute's rent, basic food and bail to stop her clients from beating/not paying/killing her.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

Youre hypocritical saying if its consensual its ok. Are you so disingenuous that you cant see that surface "consent" is meaningless when youve been trafficked or otherwise coerced into being a prostitute?

2 ( +4 / -2 )

thats a cop out. Indonesian prostitution - Its a nasty, ugly , sad scene.

Prostitution in general is. It would be much preferable if these women had other viable options.

But again, if it's consensual between both parties, then it shouldn't be illegal. People who have a problem with it should focus their efforts on bringing these women to a point where they have other options.

Spare us the hypocrisy.

Umm, please point out where I've been hypocritical.

Seems you're just frustrated because I'm providing a logical argument against something you're emotional about.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

thats a cop out. Indonesian prostitution - Its a nasty, ugly , sad scene. Spare us the hypocrisy.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Indeed it is the involuntary aspect that concerns me.

Me too

So many of the women (and children) in the world of prostitution - and Im quite sure the Indonesian variety is no different - are there because of intimidation and coercion

Not as many as some people would have you believe. It does happen, but most of the public shops (like it appears these guys visited) are not trafficked, but are there voluntarily.

or unfortunate circumstance.

Sure, it's sad that some women are born into a position where the only thing of value that they have is their body. But conversely, that being the only thing they have, they should be allowed to sell it if they so choose.

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

Wow. They had a fling with a hooker. It’s not the end of the world.

A couple hours at the bar and the Code of Conduct was no doubt the furthest thing from their minds. It certainly wasn't what they went to the hotel intending to have happen. But this stuff is basic. Representatives of your country at a prestigious international tournament isn't an excuse to either get drunk and hang out with hookers in your national uniform.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

@strangerland,

Indeed it is the involuntary aspect that concerns me. So many of the women (and children) in the world of prostitution - and Im quite sure the Indonesian variety is no different - are there because of intimidation and coercion or unfortunate circumstance.

Meanwhile we have the JT boys club telling us how healthy and natural it is.

Sorry if I cant join in the denial.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

thepersoniamnow - If they'd followed my "tips", they wouldn't be in Japan and disgraced now, would they?

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

I am rather surprised at the action taken – since prostitution, though illegal, is rampant in most countries, Japan included. The article referenced a code of conduct, and if it restricts such engagements, then fair enough.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Wow. They had a fling with a hooker. It’s not the end of the world.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Hey, if/when they aren't there voluntarily, it's about the worst thing in the world. It's disgusting.

But if you have a problem with two people voluntarily having sex, simply because money changes hands, that's your twisted version of reality, and don't expect us to fall into it.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Whats a trendy lefty to do? On the one hand they gotta go with the freedom thing and sex being healthy and natural so nothing wrong with what these jokers did. But then they have to sweep under the mat that prostitution is exploitative inthe worst way of the often abused and intimidated women - and children - who are in that world.

"if both parties are there voluntarily" - you might want to take a reality check.

-6 ( +0 / -6 )

Team is doomed to lose lol.

Firing a shot yourself for a victimless reason.

And the Japanese coach apologizing to JAPAN not even Indonesia lol.

Appearance more important than honesty there. I hate for that since I am French and free to speak and behave as an adult with no one to enslave me.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

It's the people who CAN'T get it that pay,

Charlie Sheen was known to use prostitutes regularly. If you think he couldn't have got it without paying, you're fooling yourself.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Oh, so prostitution is a victimless crime?

Apparently it's not even a crime, according to some posters above.

But yeah, if both parties are there voluntarily, it is victimless.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Yasuhiro Yamashita the head of the delegation has unleashed on Yuko Mitsuya the chairperson of the NBA for not educating the players on proper standards. Nice, blame the woman, it's his job in the first place but this is Japan. Responsibility stops at any convenient woman to take the blame. Yamashita should have manned up in this case.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

the boys that they had a duty of care for.

Boys? Come on they are professional sportsMEN. They were adult enough to pay for sex, what is this boys stuff you are doing on about. Try personal responsibility? I hope their girlfriends hold them to more account than some here trying to blame anyone but the 4 men involved. I wonder if they went bareback like POTUS likes to with his porn stars?

3 ( +4 / -1 )

They must have heard some sexual fantasy stories about the Indonesian girls different than their own Japanese girls. (Heard it's quite different experience actually). So they thought this could be the chance.

Nowadays, many people whether men or women, they want to experience something different out of their cage, just to feel good. That either becomes one of the best or one of the worst. This became latter.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Photos of the whole thing? Sounds like the Japanese speaking local worked for the newspaper!

1 ( +1 / -0 )

It appears that they didn’t receive proper Code of Conduct training. Just saying behave yourselves is not enough. It appears ridiculous in my opinion that the managers of the boys say that they had been told - had been told what?!! Just a face-saving coverup in which they suddenly go against the boys that they had a duty of care for.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

unless they used money from the organization to pay for the services 

I kind of agree that private life is private. But they were on an official trip, they used the hotel rooms provided by organization, and they were seen by the other players, media were tipped... well, too stupid to travel as the national team of whatever.

It's the people who CAN'T get it that pay,

If even the guys on the photo need to pay, who can 'get it' in Japanese male population ?

It's not even the question of money. Maybe the players didn't pay (or not more than overpriced drinks). There are next-door type girls that invite men 'for free'. The guy only gets he was with a prostitute when he is woken up by hotel security guard, asked money and suddenly can't find his wallet (his it-bag, his phonehis brand watch, etc).

 you cannot lawfully charge them under Japanese law.

In this case, there is probably not much unlawful matter in laws of both concerned countries. But Japanese judges can decide to charge J-citizens for crimes commited outside Japan.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Oh, so prostitution is a victimless crime? Just saying since a lot of posts here seem to suggest it’s okay, it’s the world oldest profession, etc.

-2 ( +4 / -6 )

They should have enjoyed it after the game. There's always foreign language speaking pimps are waiting in the Hotel bars to get customers. The pimps usually, though Japanese men have money and they like young beautiful prostitute. The pimp will approach the young Japanese Basketball players and tell them he has beautiful young girls and actually they are not prostitutes and they are university students. They are doing as part time and to pay their University fees. He can arrange it if they want to spend the night with young beautiful girls. That's the way how pimps approach customers at Jakarta hotel bars. The young men went for women after a few drinks at the bar. They shouldn't be drinking and staying outside their accommodation during the Asia Game. I don't think they deserve to be named and sending back home.

The Japanese official has handled this case very poorly.

0 ( +4 / -4 )

Baaaaaakaaaaa!

0 ( +2 / -2 )

@Lizz

After the scandal at the last Incheon Games when a Korean swimmer was sent home for stealing a media camera

Huh? It was a Japanese swimmer.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

Numbskulls.

Couldn't wait with self discipline. Not a fun ride back to Nippon.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Good for the Japanese delegation, disgusting 'profession,' players should be ashamed of themselves.

-1 ( +5 / -6 )

unless they are sent back to Indonesia to face them!

And 1st World countries don't usually hand over their citizens to face prosecution in 3rd World countries. Heck, kind of like what happened in the 2016 Summer Games.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

Papigiulio

What they do in their free time is their own private business unless they used money from the organization to pay for the services I don't see why they deserved to be publicly shamed for something that is extremely common in Japan.

Disagree.. they are there representing their country... they want to knock around with pros, they can do it in their own time. A lot of young kids look up to sportsman. Yeah, I know they are human, we all make mistakes, but at that level, there is a lot more on the line than just a game.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

Love the masks. Why bother when your names and countless photos of you are already over national TV?

Indeed. It's like, why change your username when everyone knows it's the same guy?

Dumb and dumber.

8 ( +8 / -0 )

They macho they think spending time and money on sex. They’ll make better players: mean, ruthless, fearless..losers.

-4 ( +1 / -5 )

disillusioned:

You're lucky you didn't end up with a shemale.

Jakarta's in Indonesia, not Thailand.

In a country where kissing someone from the same sex can get you caned in public or jailed, I doubt whether shemales would either exist or make themselves visible in public in that country.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

What they do in their free time is their own private business unless they used money from the organization to pay for the services I don't see why they deserved to be publicly shamed for something that is extremely common in Japan.

Though it may he common in Japan (and wherever males reside - there's a reason why prostitution is called "the worlds oldest profession"), when you represent a team, particularly overseas, you're not on vacation. Sheesh, I learned this in high school.

6 ( +7 / -1 )

Wow. Terrible. The team could also be disqualified. After the scandal at the last Incheon Games when a Korean swimmer was sent home for stealing a media camera no doubt these boys were lectured over and over by the JOC and team coach for not allowing anything like that to happen again.

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

Their careers are over

I hope not. Why should they be?

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Boys being boys. I think who ever ratted on them had an agenda other than "the good of the team".

-4 ( +5 / -9 )

Their careers are over

If they put on a few kgs I reckon they have a future in rugby or league. A bright future actually!

0 ( +2 / -2 )

The Fu

Prostitution and engaging in it is a morality code of ethics in Indonesia, not criminally illegal. Are you sure you wanna be handing out tips to others when you don’t know the law yourself?

Prostitution in IndonesiaProstitution in Indonesia is legally considered a "crime against decency/morality", although it is widely practiced, tolerated and even regulated in some areas.

Anyone interested in how Reuters reported this?

They called it “A night out with women!”

https://www.yahoo.com/news/japan-sends-home-basketball-players-081843541.html

3 ( +5 / -2 )

When representing Japan overseas, a few tips:

Don't break local laws, like prostitution

If you choose to break local laws, don't wear your team uniform

Don't be seen, while wearing your team uniform, taking prostitutes into a hotel, and paying them.

Talk about stupid.

Is it really so hard for young Japanese men to chat up a girl (or boy, if they prefer) and have sex?

4 ( +6 / -2 )

Love the masks. Why bother when your names and countless photos of you are already over national TV? Their careers are over

7 ( +9 / -2 )

but we know why you are wearing them.

Take them off

Why are they wearing masks arriving at Jakarta Airport

They have violated team rules, and violated their host country's morality, and are being punished accordingly. They have no obligation to have their faces photographed by the media while they pass through the airport.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

Ha, ha‼️ Great to see the media not singling out non-Japanese!

-5 ( +2 / -7 )

Pay to Play

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Prostitution is the world oldest profession, maybe a close second to farming, or reckless stupidity.

For sure, if a press conference is in the offering, the stage will be free of furniture, these four will be

setting a new precedent for the perfect perpendicular mea culpa 90°......

5 ( +5 / -0 )

It does seem the Japanese team managers had no choice. If they didn't discipline them then they would have faced criticism from the locals for letting thier boys get away with illegal behavior in Indonesia, or dealing with a criminal investigation by local police. Maybe they even made a deal with the local authorities to solve the problem this way.

While I agree that athlete's sex lives is thier business, in this case, I think it was unwise of them to have been wearing thier uniforms and thus dragging thier team and country into what was an illegal activity.

10 ( +10 / -0 )

"newspaper published photographs of the players out on the town."

I think this is the point. If they had been a bit more discreet, no problem.

9 ( +10 / -1 )

I think the problem is that they were wearing the national team's uniform when they went off with the women, which made it a perfect story for the newspaper that broke the story. If they had not been in their uniforms, no one would ever have found out (or probably cared).

It's the same with most countries' sporting teams. When you are abroad and you are wearing the uniform of the national team, you are like an ambassador for your country.

17 ( +18 / -1 )

Frankly not exactly the four sharpest pencils in the case.

Venturing into a clip joint decked out in their official team uniforms, if they possessed a brain cell between them they'd be dangerous

The public humiliation, full media spotlight, toe curling embarrassment, excruciating, best these four phone home first, there families might have already moved.

11 ( +12 / -1 )

If anything they should be charged if necessary in Indonesia. Sending them home protects them from any police charges unless they are sent back to Indonesia to face them!

5 ( +8 / -3 )

Bawahahahaha! Keep it you your pants boys! You're lucky you didn't end up with a shemale.

Not the proper terminology, unless you were a big reader of Hustler magazine. And what's wrong with ladyboys, anyway?

5 ( +7 / -2 )

Let them play!!! what they do during their free time is noboy's business but theirs!!

0 ( +9 / -9 )

Note to self: Take off national sports uniform before hooking up with prostitutes. Got it!

17 ( +18 / -1 )

I was in a Bangkok go-go bar a few years ago. The clientele mostly consisted of 2 groups: overweight, middle-aged and even elderly Western guys wearing crumpled Hawaiian shirts. The other group were Japanese guys around 20 to 25 years ago, expensively dressed and fit. Just goes to show.

1 ( +10 / -9 )

I’m sure everyone is shaking their heads and thinking...”Wait, they went to Indonesia, and got in trouble for prostitution....how unfair”

This is the most common thing here and in Indonesia.

4 ( +6 / -2 )

But it's a pretty ridiculous rule. Assuming they were in a place in which the women were there voluntarily, it's a ridiculous rule - there's no victim here, and for that matter I believe it's been shown that athletes perform better if they have sex before playing.

Prostutuion is illegal in Indonnesia, they broke the law by paying for sex.

9 ( +12 / -3 )

In Japan and most other countries the answer is no. In Singapore the answer seems to be yes.

Thanks for the info. Good on Singapore.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

Can you say "Set Up"?

Was it simply a "Coincidence" that she was at the RIGHT place, at the RIGHT time ?

Consider THAT angle.

1 ( +9 / -8 )

@Strangerland

But what I've wondered is if countries that do this will also prosecute foreign nationals.

It's apparently a mixed bag. In Japan and most other countries the answer is no. In Singapore the answer seems to be yes. But I suppose even in Japan the authorities can always pass along information to interpol or another country which could then seek extradition of their own citizen.

Here is a page comparing similar laws in Japan and a few other countries if you're interested:

http://www.federalcircuitcourt.gov.au/wps/wcm/connect/fccweb/reports-and-publications/speeches-conference-papers/2012/speech-pascoe-sex-tourism#_ftn12

6 ( +6 / -0 )

Why are they wearing masks arriving at Jakarta Airport

If they didn't want to abide by the delegation's code of conduct, they shouldn't have agreed to it

2 ( +8 / -6 )

Jeez, leave the boys alone. Should we start punishing people for having sex now? It's a very slippery slope if we allow the miserable prudes to win.

9 ( +17 / -8 )

Why pay to get laid when there are hundreds of fit, young women at the athletes village?!

Takes a while to organize gokon parties.

15 ( +16 / -1 )

I shouldn't have put that in quotes, as it's definitely not exact text, and I'm not even sure it was Charlie Sheen.

3 ( +8 / -5 )

Why pay to get laid when there are hundreds of fit, young women at the athletes village?!

I think it was Charlie Sheen who said "I don't pay prostitutes for sex, I pay them to leave when we're done".

14 ( +21 / -7 )

Unless the women were underage (which apparently many Indonesian prostitutes are). Japan now claims universal jurisdiction over its citizens for child sex tourism regardless of where in the world the crime takes place.

All countries should do that.

But what I've wondered is if countries that do this will also prosecute foreign nationals. For example, would Japan prosecute a S. Korean resident of Japan if they hired a child prostitute in some other country?

8 ( +9 / -1 )

Why pay to get laid when there are hundreds of fit, young women at the athletes village?!

9 ( +13 / -4 )

Seeing as this took place in Indonesia you cannot lawfully charge them under Japanese law.

True. Unless the women were underage (which apparently many Indonesian prostitutes are). Japan now claims universal jurisdiction over its citizens for child sex tourism regardless of where in the world the crime takes place.

14 ( +17 / -3 )

What they do in their free time is their own private business unless they used money from the organization to pay for the services I don't see why they deserved to be publicly shamed for something that is extremely common in Japan.

The most sensible post on here.

11 ( +18 / -7 )

SOP for many Japanese businessmen in a lot of the Asian cities, when they have finished work and go out for a drink with their collegues.

15 ( +16 / -1 )

Not only should they have been sent home, but since prostitution is illegal in Japan they should also be charged after being permanently banned from the team.

There are far worse things in the news today. These boys will be punished more than enough. Thrown off the team, not getting pro contracts anywhere, and now all over Japan tv for the next week or two.

Seeing as this took place in Indonesia you cannot lawfully charge them under Japanese law.

Work it out smith. Asian Games providing scores of fit young athletes into Jakarta, with the biggest economy for women from poor families being the sex industry. I'd be shocked if young Japanese basketball players didn't get laid in Jakarta...

12 ( +15 / -3 )

The core problem here is more likely to be the fact that hiring a prostitute is not exactly legal in Indonesia. Morality doesn't really play into the decision when you look at it that way.

24 ( +27 / -3 )

Is there any indication they raped, hurt or otherwise abused these women?

"they paid for the services of prostitutes."

Oh my! Can't have that!

13 ( +27 / -14 )

I understand why they sent these guys home - it was one of the rules they were under.

But it's a pretty ridiculous rule. Assuming they were in a place in which the women were there voluntarily, it's a ridiculous rule - there's no victim here, and for that matter I believe it's been shown that athletes perform better if they have sex before playing.

9 ( +28 / -19 )

What they do in their free time is their own private business unless they used money from the organization to pay for the services I don't see why they deserved to be publicly shamed for something that is extremely common in Japan.

17 ( +36 / -19 )

Hope they enjoyed their slam dunk.

10 ( +14 / -4 )

Bawahahahaha! Keep it you your pants boys! You're lucky you didn't end up with a shemale.

-15 ( +16 / -31 )

Take them off and man up to getting caught doing something on everyone’s bucket list.

A night with an Indonesian prostitute is not on my bucket list.

46 ( +51 / -5 )

"The players flew back home at their own expense," 

A one-way ticket Jakarta - Tokyo will have cost them much more than their night's entertainment.

27 ( +29 / -2 )

Why is this the surprising with the amount of prostitution that goes on in Japan.

17 ( +33 / -16 )

I know this is Japan boys and masks are the norm...

but we know why you are wearing them.

Take them off and man up to getting caught doing something on everyone’s bucket list.

-12 ( +25 / -37 )

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