Late Singer’s Label Sells Her Nude Photos 2 Years After Her Passing; Hints At Plans To Sell Her Worn Clothing & Underwear

It has been over two years since Japanese enka singer Aki Yashiro died at the age of 73, yet her record label appears to be continuing to profit off her name — and not in the best way either.

Last year, Japanese record company New Century Records reportedly made a huge profit by promoting Aki’s memorial album with a controversial gimmick. They offered two nude polaroid photos taken when she was in her 20s as a “bonus” gift. The nude photos were taken while she had been in a relationship with a record company executive back then.

Now, they have launched a new event, announcing that they will be selling “original copies” of her nudes, including a polaroid that was used for her one of her album covers, and three photos that appeared in a magazine.

When contacted by Japanese media, a male employee from New Century Records insisted that the photos being auctioned were “original nude photographs” and not copies.

He allegedly said: “We can sell them to people who want them and make more money. Isn’t that great!”

The photos have been put up for public auction, with bids climbing into the hundreds of thousands of yen.

According to reports, the original nude photos were priced at 680,000 yen (S$5,523) on December 10 last year, rising to 920,000 yen (S$7,473) two weeks later. The auction is slated to close on March 31.

Although the company said there would be no further auctions, they are said to have hinted at plans to sell Aki’s old clothing after April 21, and may continue using her nude photos as promotional material.

On top of all that, they also suggested that her worn underwear could be put up for auction.

Earlier, it was reported that Aki’s family intended to take legal action against the company.

However, the company has dismissed the claim, stating: “There is no lawsuit at all. No one has contacted us. Neither the family nor her former management company has reached out. There is no reason for this to become an issue, we own the rights to the photos and have not broken any laws. There’s no way anyone can sue us.”

The record label’s actions have sparked public outrage, as they are profiting from nude photos of someone who did not, and could not, consent to the distribution of her private images.

While many have condemned the move, it also raises a, well, uncomfortable question — who are the people buying these photos?