The 49-year-old barman is accused of violating the Employment Security Law by
forcing her into a dangerous job. Masaharu Haga, 38, and his 39-year-old wife
Masami have also been arrested for violating the Child Welfare Law by acting as
pimps.
The stepfather, whose name is being withheld to conceal the victim's identity,
handed the girl over to the Hagas on March 27, knowing that she would be forced
into prostitution, investigators said.
Two days later, the girl was forced to service to a customer introduced by the
Hagas at a hotel in Kita-ku, Osaka, local police allege. She sought help at a
local police station the next day.
The girl's mother died five years ago. The stepfather had raped her since her
childhood, police say.
The girl had been living alone at an apartment and working part-time after she
graduated from junior high school last spring. However, she fell ill sometime
around February of this year and became unable to pay her bills.
Her stepfather ordered to her to engage in prostitution to earn money, and
introduced her to the Hagas.
Masami Haga was a friend of the girl's mother and was also acquainted with the
girl.
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