Alibi-ya

An alibi-ya (アリバイ屋, aribai ya) is a business in Japan that creates an identity viewed as socially respectable for peoples involved in occupations that may be viewed as shameful — typically identities for women involved in the sex industry.^[1] The fictitious identity is created to conceal the person's actual identity 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] In subsequent years, these firms provided customers with fake identities, spurious tax certificates and false documents required to rent apartments or take out personal loans.^[4]

1. ^ ^{a b} Kristof, Nicholas D. (July 11, 1999). "In Japan, Alibis Are An Industry". The New York Times. Retrieved 21 May 2012.
2. ^ ^{a b} Willacy, Mark (21 May 2012). "Japanese sex workers sold fictitious lives". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 21 May 2012.
3. ^ ^{a b} Natsuhara, Takeshi (10 May 2011). "The fraud called 'alibi-ya' a useful tool". Nikkei BP. Nihon Keizai Shimbun. Retrieved 21 May 2012.
4. ^ "Trio of alibi specialists runs afoul of the law". Japan Today. 2025-03-06. Retrieved 2025-08-13.

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