Japanese Mom Criticized for Selling 14-Year-Old Daughter’s Dirty Used Clothes Online
A Japanese mother is facing intense criticism online after listing her 14-year-old daughter’s used and visibly dirty clothes for sale on a major Japanese marketplace. The mother’s daughter works as a child model, participating in various photoshoots for kids’ fashion brands. Recently, the mother listed several outfits her daughter had worn, including detailed descriptions emphasizing their condition:
“Lots of dirt from water photoshoots and from sitting on the ground.”
Even more alarming, she encouraged buyers to search for images of her daughter wearing the clothes.
Japanese Mom Criticized for Selling 14-Year-Old Daughter’s Dirty Used Clothes Online
The listings were first reported by Yahoo News Japan, and screenshots quickly spread across social media. Prices ranged from 3,800 yen (about $25 USD) to 12,345 yen (around $80 USD), with many of the items being from low-cost brands like SHEIN. Despite this, the clothes were priced much higher than their original value.
Many online users accused the mother of exploiting her daughter for money. Comments like: “Profiting off your child is toxic parenting,” flooded the internet.
According to e-commerce experts, selling used clothes online is common in Japan, but sellers are generally expected to wash the items before listing them. One expert noted:
“Highlighting that the clothes are dirty seems like an attempt to appeal to a specific kind of buyer.”
The platform where the clothes were listed, Mercari (often described as Japan’s version of eBay), strictly prohibits listings that fall under “Burusera” – a practice involving the sale of worn school uniforms or intimate items from young girls, often for fetish purposes.
After the backlash grew, the mother took to Twitter to defend herself:
“I didn’t even know Mercari was associated with Burusera. I’m just selling clothes that no longer fit.”
Despite her statement, criticism continued, with many saying that including details about her daughter and encouraging people to look up photos was inappropriate.
Adding to the controversy, an editor from an idol-focused magazine pointed out that the girl had previously been photographed in outfits that were considered overly mature for her age, which may have contributed to the public’s strong reaction.
Ultimately, the mother deleted the listings from Mercari.
Another case was remembered, with another child idol, which occurred in May of this year. There is a certain child idol who is shown in various activities and in many photos she is shown eating healthy things.
However, they decided to publish her in 3 photos, where she puts two whole cucumbers in her mouth and also holds them with both hands. The photos were deleted from the girl’s profile because they also generated a lot of outrage online.
