Fwd: First Japanese Naked for Animal Rights PETA

News Release

AYA SUGIMOTO TO BARE ALL AT PETA ANTI-FUR PHOTO SHOOT: MEDIA INVITED ON SET FOR A SNEAK PEEK

Versatile Entertainer and Erotic Novelist Tells Legions of Admirers, 'Fur? I'd Rather Go Naked'

What: You've seen her as a singer, actor, model, dancer, and erotic novel writer, but you've probably never seen her quite like this before. Posing completely nude and holding a sign that reads, "Fur? I'd Rather Go Naked," Aya Sugimoto will shoot a brand-new ad for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals Asia-Pacific (PETA). Why? Because Aya wants to help save animals' skins by showing some of her own. Members of the media are invited to take their own photos.

Aya and PETA want consumers to know that animals on fur farms spend their entire lives in tiny, filthy cages. They suffer physical and psychological distress before they are killed by poisoning, gassing, neck-breaking, or anal or vaginal electrocution. In China, the world's leading fur exporter, animals on fur farms -- including millions of cats and dogs -- commonly are skinned alive, sometimes while they are still conscious.

Photo-Op: Aya Sugimoto, shooting new naked ad for PETA

When: Wednesday, September 17, 12 noon sharp

Where: 10BAN Studio Yoga, 2-41-11 Yoga, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo

Directions: Take the Tokyu Den-en-Toshi line to Yoga Station (5 stops from Shibuya). Exit via the South Entrance, and when you reach the sidewalk, u-turn left toward Mos Burger. The studio is 20 meters straight ahead, past Central Sports. Directions from the station and a map are available here: http://www.10ban.jp

Parking is limited.

Your coverage of the photo shoot is invited. Snacks will be served by Devadeva Cafe

Hair and makeup will be done by Shigehisa Satoko, and 10BAN Studio has generously donated its studio services and equipment for the event.

Japanese actress Aya Sugimoto has taken off her clothes for sexy movies and photo shoots, but for the first time Wednesday she went naked for animal rights.

Holding a tiny sign reading, "Fur? I'd rather go naked," Sugimoto posed in the buff before dozens of photographers and television cameras in one of the first Japanese campaigns by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA).

"I stopped wearing fur two years ago after I learned how fur products are being produced," said the actress, who is also a dancer and erotic novelist.

"I want to play a role in the 'No Fur' movement and let more people know of the cruel and grim reality for animals," Sugimoto said. "I don't mind at all -- even if my naked photos are posted all over."

PETA chose Sugimoto, 40, as the first Japanese model of its international anti-fur campaign because of her passion for animal rights, for which she has created a fake-fur fashion brand.

"She is perfect," said Jason Baker, director of the group's Asia-Pacific branch office. "She cares about the issue."

Sugimoto, a cat lover, said she wants to show Japanese consumers that being stylish and caring about animal rights do not necessarily contradict.

Japanese fashion -- particularly the so-called "kawaii" cute look -- is enjoying growing popularity worldwide.

"I want people to realise that they can be stylish and posh enough without using real fur," she said.

Japanese Actress Close Up: Aya Sugimoto

Date of Birth: 19 July 1968
Birth location: Sakyo-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto, Japan
Birth Name: Motoe Matsuyama
Japanese Name: 杉本 彩
Height: 5' 6¼" (1.68 m)
Measurements: 84cm-58cm-86cm