An alibi-ya (アリバイ屋, aribai ya) is a kind of business in Japan that creates an identity viewed as socially respectable for peoples involved in occupations viewed as shameful, typically identities for women involved in the sex industry.[1] The fictitious identity is created to conceal the person's actual from her family and potential spouses. Services provided by alibi-ya range from simply a phone answering service at a non-existent employer to arrangements for a boss to give a speech at the client's wedding praising her work at the non-existent company.[2] Though the business is not illegal of itself, alibi-ya came to attention in 2011 when fake documents issued by an alibi-ya were used to illegally obtain bank loans.[2][3]
Etymology edit
"Alibi-ya" is a combination of the English world "alibi" and the Japanese "ya", meaning "shop" or "seller".[1] It is also written in Japanese as aribai-gaisha (アリバイ会社), meaning "alibi company".[3]
References edit
- ^ a b Kristof, Nicholas D. (July 11, 1999). "In Japan, Alibis Are An Industry". The New York Times. The New York Times Company. Retrieved 21 May 2012.
- ^ a b Willacy, Mark (21 May 2012). "Japanese sex workers sold fictitious lives". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 21 May 2012.
- ^ a b Natsuhara, Takeshi (10 May 2011). "The fraud called 'alibi-ya' a useful tool". Nikkei BP. Nihon Keizai Shimbun. Retrieved 21 May 2012.
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