Police investigators searched the office and home of Tokyo-based photographer Kishin Shinoyama on Tuesday on suspicion of public indecency over the shooting of nude photos for his book of photos "20XX TOKYO."
The investigators also raided the office in Tokyo of a talent agency to which one of the two models, a 21-year-old actress, belongs.
Shinoyama, 68, allegedly took outdoor nude shots of the models in Tokyo from mid- to late August 2008 in situations where anyone could see them, the police said.
The Metropolitan Police Department also plans to question Shinoyama, police sources said.
The investigators have found nothing illegal in the photo album itself but question the manner in which the photographs were taken, the police said.
Shinoyama allegedly took the photos at a dozen locations in Tokyo, mainly at night. Some were taken on railway tracks and in cemeteries.
A number of nude photos of the two actresses appear in the photo book, which was published last January and is about 60 pages long. It has sold out, publisher Asahi Press says on its Web site.
Shinoyama's office and Asahi Press declined comment.
Tokyo-based Asahi Press said it has heard nothing about the police raids from either Shinoyama or the police. Shinoyama became a freelance photographer in 1968 after working for an advertising agency.
He has released a number of photo collections of celebrities, including novelist Yukio Mishima (1925-1970), singer Momoe Yamaguchi and actress Rie Miyazawa.
In 1991, he released "Water Fruit," a collection of uncensored nude photos of actress Kanako Higuchi in which her pubic hair is visible.
The Penal Code sets penalties of imprisonment for up to six months, a fine of up to ¥300,000, detention for up to 29 days, or a petty fine of less than ¥10,000, for people who commit indecent acts in public.