Kishin Shinoyama

Photographer Shinoyama's office, home raided over nude photo shoot

Wednesday 11th November, 05:26 AM JST

TOKYO —

Police investigators searched the office and home in Tokyo of photographer Kishin Shinoyama on Tuesday on suspicion of public indecency over the shooting of nude photos for his book of photos ‘‘20XX TOKYO.’’ The investigators also raided the office in Tokyo of a talent agency to which one of the two models, a 21-year-old actress, belongs.

Shinoyama, 68, allegedly took outdoor shots of the nude models in Tokyo from mid- to late August 2008 in situations where anyone could see them, police said.

The Metropolitan Police Department plans to question Shinoyama later, police sources said.

The investigators have found nothing illegal in the photo album itself, but question the manner in which the photographs were taken, police said.

Shinoyama allegedly took the photos at a dozen locations in Tokyo, mainly at night. Some of the photos were taken on railway tracks and in cemeteries.

A number of nude photos of the two actresses appear in the photo book, which was published in late January this year and is about 60 pages long. The collection has sold out, its publisher Asahi Press says on its website.

Shinoyama’s office and the Asahi Press declined comment.

Tokyo-based Asahi Press said it has heard nothing about the police raids from either Shinoyama or the police. The Asahi Press has no links with the Asahi Shimbun newspaper or TV Asahi.

Shinoyama became a freelance photographer in 1968 after working for an advertising agency.

He has released a number of photo collections of celebrities, including novelist Yukio Mishima (1925-1970), singer Momoe Yamaguchi and actress Rie Miyazawa.

In 1991, he released ‘‘Water Fruit,’’ a collection of uncensored nude photos of actress Kanako Higuchi in which her pubic hair is visible.

Japan’s Penal Code sets penalties of imprisonment for up to six months, a fine of up to 300,000 yen, detention for up to 29 days, or a petty fine of less than 10,000 yen, for persons who commit indecent acts in public.

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Latest 15 of 45 Total Comments Show All

Proffesor at 12:40 PM JST - 11th November

C'mon give me a break! Can't we honestly appreciate different types of art?
combinibento at 12:41 PM JST - 11th November

I imagine a bunch of fat 40-something cops sitting around the koban (save for the one standing outside with his earpiece and that big stick) discussing what to do with their day. After all, giving directions has gotten monotonous. 'Well,' says one of them, 'we know we can't fight crime. Hell, we can't fight, period. Anything else we can do with our time?' After a long silence, the fattest of them picks his nose and reaches for the weekly Sabra magazine sitting on top of all the neglected, instant-ramen-stained police reports which have gone stale weeks ago. 'Hey,' he says after flipping through some pages. 'Why not we raid a place where we can score some skin mags?' The others snicker nervously at first, then look around at each other with raised eyebrows and frowns that say, 'What the hell, whadda we have to lose?'
BigInJapan at 12:52 PM JST - 11th November

I just found my role model! A hero of free speech and free artistic expression! Show us the pubis!
kirakira25 at 01:56 PM JST - 11th November

Aside from the fact that this guy should be arrested purely for his appalling hairstyle, what is the big deal here? No-one has complained, no-one has been injured physically, emotionally or morally as far as we are aware. I find reading porn mags in full view on the train far more offensive.

The nudity thing always makes me chuckle too - I regularly watch Japanese women contortioning themselves in the swimming pool changing rooms trying to get changed under a towel without showing a sliver of skin, and then go off the the onsen where it all hangs out big time and no-one seems to bat an eyelid at getting naked in the bath together.

Please dont get me wrong - Im not criticising Japan - love it in fact - but the contradictions here I find fascinating.
Mittsu at 01:58 PM JST - 11th November

I have seena few of this guys' exhibitions. Panders a lot to the J-taste for underage (or almost) girls, typically dressed in kiddy outfits. Crap.
yankeeshogun at 02:11 PM JST - 11th November

If they are so concerned about nudity why don't they crack down on the creeps on the trains that read newspapers - with photos of naked women in sexually exploitative poses - right in front of children. THEY should be arrested.
eigonosensei at 03:21 PM JST - 11th November

Censorship = Shinoyama wearing a hat to cover the pubic hair on his head.

If attractive women want to show their naughty bits let them.
mindovermatter at 03:32 PM JST - 11th November

Gee... This is exactly what Japan needs to utilize it's police resources on.... Cracking down on a guy who took some photo's a couple years ago, and it didn't effect anybody...

I could see if the models were underage or if someone had complained about seeing nude people, but two years later...
numbskull at 04:50 PM JST - 11th November

but two years later...

They raided his home. I think they wanted to give him time amass some more pictures, see. And take some evidence home... I think you know where I am going with this...
lurker at 04:50 PM JST - 11th November

Shinoyama is also the guy who published a book on Chiaki Kuriyama featuring some nude pictures of her taken when she was eleven years old.
womanforwomen at 06:35 PM JST - 11th November

lurker, thanks for that piece of info. 11 year old Chiyaki Kuriyama nude pictures book should be a must read for all Shinoyama fans. I am beginning to be proud of him too.
sydenham at 07:31 PM JST - 11th November

Too funny!

The Metropolitan Police Department plans to question Shinoyama later, police sources said.

I think I know why. Hey, pass the tissue box will ya?
Midnightpromise at 11:57 PM JST - 11th November

I hope he gets a stiff sentence.
DickMorris at 02:20 AM JST - 12th November

If this guy takes immoral photos he deserves to be punished.

I cannot believe this guy could do such a thing. Naked in public!!! It defies belief.
Ke11iente at 02:50 AM JST - 12th November

Ridiculous. Absolutely ridiculous.