Eikichi Yazawa sues impersonater over unauthorized use of his name

[Tokyograph News]

Singer Eikichi Yazawa is suing monomane (imitation) artist Ryudai Ishiyama for 10 million yen over the unauthorized use of Yazawa's name. The lawsuit was presented on November 27.

According to the lawsuit, Ishiyama's official website falsely promoted himself as "the only monomane talento approved by Eikichi Yazawa." Yazawa's management asked for the removal of the description in late October, but Ishiyama only gave vague replies. On November 7, the agency delivered a formal request for removal. Ishiyama apparently asked for more time while leaving the offending line on the website.

The description was finally taken down on December 3, after the lawsuit had been filed. When asked about the matter, Ishiyama explained that he had been approved by Yazawa sixteen years ago. After receiving the request for removal, he had entrusted an agent with the task, but it was taken down too late.

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