A Japanese court found on Monday an artist not guilty of obscenity for displaying figurines modeled on her vagina, signaling a step toward freedom of expression, although the court fined her for distributing digital data of her genitals.

The Tokyo court dismissed prosecutors' charge that Megumi Igarashi, who works under the name "Rokudenashiko" or "good-for-nothing girl", had displayed obscene objects, saying her figurines - decorated with fake fur and glitter - could be considered "pop art".

"This verdict is extremely rare," said Takashi Yamaguchi, one of her lawyers, adding that it had "high historic value".