Gas Panic in Roppongi busted over dancing

TOKYO (TR) – Tokyo Metropolitan Police on Saturday evening raided a popular nightclub within the Gas Panic chain in the Roppongi entertainment district for improper licensing and took two employees into custody, reports the Sankei Shimbun (July 23).

At approximately 10:40 p.m., officers entered club GP Bar and arrested manager Takuya Muratani, 30, and disc jockey Yu Imamura, 33, for allegedly allowing dancing without a license in accordance with the Law Regulating Adult Entertainment Businesses.

Both suspects have reportedly admitted to the allegations. “The customers raise their hands at random (to the music),” the manager is quoted. “That does not mean we are forcing them to dance.”

Over the first six months of the year, customers at the club have been involved in 113 criminal incidents, including theft, police said. “This is a hotbed of crime,” an investigator is quoted by Jiji Press (July 23).

On Saturday, two girls, both 17 years of age, were taken into protective custody for being allowed to drink alcohol while being minors.

The club has generated 300 million yen in revenue since June of last year.