Police said Wednesday they are investigating a 57-year-old man who is apparently living in Tokyo with 10 women in their 20s and 30s and a baby.
Police got involved after receiving information that a woman was forced to join the group but are only trying to learn the facts at this point. It was not clear whether the man faces criminal charges.
The man started living with several young women in Higashi-Yamato, western Tokyo, after divorcing his wife in February 2000 and has been through several marriages and divorces, according to the man and other sources.
He told reporters that many of the women who divorced him, however, still live with him under his family name.
"I realized that I can attract women by reciting a chant," the man said. "After starting fortunetelling at home, female clients have gathered around me, and now we lead a communal life, just like polygamy."
According to people close to the man, he donated land in October 2003 to nine women to own on a joint basis.
According to police, the man allegedly threatened a woman last fall after she refused his invitation to join the group, saying, "You will be in danger if you tell this to anybody."
The man, reportedly a fortuneteller, denied the allegation. According to neighbors, he stays home while young women go out every morning, apparently to work. The people living with him have no contact with the neighbors.