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Tokyo cops bust Roppongi gallery, arrest photographer Leslie Kee for obscenity

'Super Miki' and 'Super Goh' by Leslie Kee
“Super Miki” (left) and “Super Goh” by Leslie Kee

TOKYO (TR) – Tokyo Metropolitan Police on Monday arrested photographer Leslie Kee for the distribution of content considered obscene as a part male nude photo exhibition at a gallery in the Roppongi district, reports Sankei Sports (Feb. 5).

Officers from the peace preservation division took photographer Leslie Kee, 41, Hiromi Ishii, the 45-year-old manager of the gallery, and one other suspect for the sale of books in the photographer’s “Super” series that contain pages with images of male genitals deemed to be obscene and in violation of the law.

The books in the series, which include the “Super Miki” and “Super Goh” titles, sell for 6,000 yen each. According to investigators, seven copies were reportedly sold since the exhibition began on Saturday at the Hiromi Ishii Roppongi gallery.

Article 175 of Japan’s Penal Code prohibits the distribution, sale, or public display of obscene writings, pictures, or other materials. The code, however, does not define what specific type of content the law constitutes as being obscene.

The three suspects have reportedly denied the allegations.

Officers were made aware of the publications via postings on the photographer’s Facebook page.

Kee, a native of Singapore, is a popular photographer in the fashion and music industries. Singers Ayumi Hamazaki, Lady Gaga, and Yumi Matsutoya are among his most notable clients.