X Japan leader Yoshiki has filed a lawsuit with the Tokyo District Court against the music production company Nexstar Corporation, seeking approximately 375 million yen in damages. However, that figure could grow by another 600 million yen.
According to the lawsuit, after X Japan reunited, they entered a contract with Nexstar Corporation in January 2008, which included the use of some recordings. That initial deal was for the sum of 600 million yen in advance royalties and contract money, which has so far been entirely unpaid.
Between 2008 and 2009, the company also sponsored ten of the band's concerts in Japan and other parts of Asia. About 320 million yen in performance fees and merchandise sales from those concerts is due to the band as well. In all, the total unpaid amount is more than 900 million yen.
Yoshiki's side points out that the ticket and merchandise sales have earned more than 2.5 billion yen in revenue for Nexstar, making it unreasonable that the company still has not paid any of it. Although attempts were initially made to resolve the dispute between the two parties, a lack of progress led Yoshiki to take the matter to court.
The lawsuit is currently seeking only 375 million yen for the revenue earned from the concerts, but should the case go to trial, Yoshiki's side plans to file an additional claim for the 600 million yen in the initial contract.
When reached for comment, Nexstar stated that they have not yet received the lawsuit. The company reportedly acknowledged that there is some unpaid money due to the band, but they said that the amount is different from Yoshiki's claim.
Tokyograph