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TOKYO: Japanese pop princess Ayumi Hamasaki's record label Avex Trax, a subsidiary of Avex Entertainment, has reportedly been trying to transfer her management rights for one billion yen (S$15 million) after the singer became embroiled in a drug scandal involving colleague Manabu Oshio.
According to Japanese media reports, Avex arrived at this decision to prevent her drug scandal from affecting the record label's stock prices, though industry observers say the figure is simply too low to be true.
Oshio was arrested in December last year on suspicion of giving recreation drug Ecstacy to a hostess who later died of an overdose.
The pair were at a residence in the prestigious Roppongi Hills area rented by Oshio's friend Mika Noguchi, a prominent businesswoman.
The police are investigating Hamasaki's links to the case as Noguchi is her close friend, though rumours are rife that it was Oshio who directly implicated Hamasaki in a bid to save himself.
If these reports turn out to be true, they would mark a sharp reversal of fortune for the 31-year-old superstar.
Hamasaki was discovered by Avex Trax's current president, music producer Masato Matsuura, at a karaoke bar in 1998. He signed her to Avex Trax shortly after and she has been with the label ever since.
Hamasaki went on to become the only singer in Japan with a chart-topping album every year, consecutively for 11 years.
- CNA/ha
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