Supervisors OK License to Sell Coroner’s Memorabilia in Japan
Could this be the latest fashion trend to hit Japan?
Los Angeles County supervisors agreed Tuesday to license the manufacture, sale and distribution of Los Angeles County coroner’s memorabilia in Japan for the next five years.
So on the other side of the Pacific, Japanese consumers will be able to buy personalized toe-tag key chains, like those used in the morgue, beach towels with chalk outlines of murder victims, and mugs, tote bags and T-shirts with the coroner’s logo.
Hazama International Co. Ltd. agreed to pay the county a one-time fee of $30,000 plus 9% of gross sales up to $500,000 to become the exclusive Japanese distributor of coroner’s memorabilia. Coroner Department Director Anthony Hernandez said international media attention has increased demand for the products.
But don’t expect the county to make a killing on the deal. Projections assume the department will make $307,500 in the first five years.
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