News / International
Cops probe man who cooked own genitals
26 Jun 2012 at 11:15hrs | Views
Tokyo - Tokyo police are investigating whether a man who cooked his own severed genitals and served them to five paying diners committed a crime, the force said on Tuesday.
Mao Sugiyama had his penis and testicles surgically removed in March and kept them frozen for two months before cooking them at a public event in May.
Diners each paid $250 for a portion.
The police probe came after the mayor of Suginami ward, the Tokyo district where the event took place, said it had involved the display of obscene objects.
"Many residents of Suginami and elsewhere have expressed a sense of discomfort and feeling of apprehension over this," Mayor Ryo Tanaka said in a statement on Monday.
Infection-free
A Tokyo police spokesperson acknowledged the complaint, but declined to give further details, citing "an ongoing investigation".
Sugiyama, a painter in his 20s who defines himself as "asexual", did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
In an e-mail to AFP in May, he confirmed the event had taken place and said it was organised to raise awareness about "sexual minorities, x-gender, asexual people".
In tweets on 18 May, the artist said steps were taken so his act met all relevant laws, including a ban on organ sales, processing of medical waste and even food sanitation requirements.
Sugiyama said his genitals had been removed by a physician and certified free of infections.
Mao Sugiyama had his penis and testicles surgically removed in March and kept them frozen for two months before cooking them at a public event in May.
Diners each paid $250 for a portion.
The police probe came after the mayor of Suginami ward, the Tokyo district where the event took place, said it had involved the display of obscene objects.
"Many residents of Suginami and elsewhere have expressed a sense of discomfort and feeling of apprehension over this," Mayor Ryo Tanaka said in a statement on Monday.
A Tokyo police spokesperson acknowledged the complaint, but declined to give further details, citing "an ongoing investigation".
Sugiyama, a painter in his 20s who defines himself as "asexual", did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
In an e-mail to AFP in May, he confirmed the event had taken place and said it was organised to raise awareness about "sexual minorities, x-gender, asexual people".
In tweets on 18 May, the artist said steps were taken so his act met all relevant laws, including a ban on organ sales, processing of medical waste and even food sanitation requirements.
Sugiyama said his genitals had been removed by a physician and certified free of infections.
Source - AFP
