The city of Mito has introduced AI-equipped security cameras to curb the practice of forcefully luring customers in its Daikumachi entertainment district. The system analyzes human movements to detect suspicious behaviors and issues audio warnings. It responds to resident complaints about declining public safety.
The city of Mito has launched an artificial intelligence system to combat the practice of kyaku-hiki, or forcefully luring customers, in its entertainment districts—a rare initiative in Japan. The system will become fully operational in spring 2026 after a three-month learning phase.
On December 16, 2025, cameras and speakers with AI devices were installed at three spots in the Daikumachi district, Mito's largest entertainment area. The technology analyzes images for patterns like following passersby, standing in their way, or placing a hand on them. Upon detection, speakers broadcast warnings such as 'Kyaku-hiki violates the city's ordinance' or 'Don't be lured.'
In severe instances, facial recognition identifies individuals, and details are shared with police. The central Daikumachi area hosts over 100 establishments, including hostess bars and izakaya, despite Ibaraki Prefecture's ordinance banning such targeting. Residents have reported safety concerns, prompting the city to deploy 10 existing security cameras and conduct joint patrols with police during year-end periods.
Developed with a Tokyo-based company using central government subsidies, the setup operates as standard cameras initially while the AI learns behaviors. For privacy, footage is deleted after 30 days and used solely for misconduct detection.
A man in his 80s who frequents the area said, '[The cameras] will monitor 24 hours a day. Just knowing they're there serves as a warning.' However, Iwao Otsuka, 52, head of the local resident association, cautioned, 'Bad actors may hide in backstreets beyond camera view. We need combined measures, like more police patrols.'
Haruhiko Tazawa, head of the city's public safety division, noted, 'If accuracy improves, it's like constant human oversight. We want Mito residents and tourists to visit Daikumachi安心.' An official from the Cabinet Office's Headquarters for the Strategy for the Future of Regions praised it as 'rare and advanced,' hoping for wider adoption.
Unlike Hyogo Prefecture's 2024 experiments in Kobe and Nishinomiya, which flagged stopped movements and faced false positives, Mito's focuses on specific actions. The city plans to evaluate effectiveness and consider expansions, including notifications to municipal monitors.
