In April 2015, Shiori Ito, a 26-year-old journalist, thought she was meeting Noriyuki Yamaguchi for dinner at a Tokyo izakaya to discuss her career an
In April 2015, Shiori Ito, a 26-year-old journalist, thought she was meeting Noriyuki Yamaguchi for dinner at a Tokyo izakaya to discuss her career and potentially secure a job recommendation. Yamaguchi, a respected journalist and former Washington bureau chief, was well-connected, having written a favorable biography of the prime minister, Shinzo Abe, a friend. Instead, the meeting marked the beginning of Ito’s private hell. She tells of being drugged, forcibly taken to a hotel, and raped by Yamaguchi. Two years later, despite advice from her family and authorities, Ito went public with her allegations and published a book about the case, shedding light on the shroud of secrecy surrounding sexual assault in Japan.
Since then, Ito’s story has become a symbol of courage and a catalyst for change in the way Japanese officialdom views sexual assault. Her testimony, however, has come at a great personal cost. For many women, she was the face of the #MeToo movement in Japan, but she also became a lightning rod for misogyny and victim-blaming, with critics labeling her as overly naive for not protecting herself.
This month, Ito will release a documentary, Black Box Diaries, her directorial debut, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival. The documentary is a deeply personal retelling of the rape and its aftermath, drawing on Ito’s diary entries and recordings. It is a study in hope and crushing disappointment, of legal victories and public vilification, of determination and moments of intense personal distress.
Ito still hopes to find a Japanese distributor for the documentary, despite the challenges she has faced. “We’re having difficulties,” she says. “It’s not a big surprise, but it’s unfortunate. But we’re trying our best to find a way.” The reasons behind distributors’ reluctance are opaque, but Ito notes that Yamaguchi remains a prominent figure in journalism and has never faced criminal charges for the allegations, which he has consistently denied.
The documentary opens with a trigger warning for viewers, advising them to take a moment. It tells the story of a series of missed opportunities on that night, including footage of Ito being dragged out of a taxi to the hotel, and testimony from the taxi driver, who later testified on her behalf in a civil case. Ito was also subjected to traumatic treatment by the police, who discouraged her from filing a report, warning her that it would ruin her career. She was interviewed by male officers, including one who asked her to re-enact the rape with a life-sized doll while taking photographs.
Ito has successfully sued one of her tormentors, Mio Sugita, a conservative lower house member, who was ordered to pay Ito ¥550,000 for liking 25 tweets that slandered her. Her case has also led to legal changes in Japan, including the revision of a rape law that had forced victims to prove they were incapacitated by violence at the time of the assault.
Ito believes that Japan still has a long way to go in terms of addressing sexual violence. “There is a #MeToo movement in Japan, although it doesn’t feel like it was as strong as in South Korea and maybe China,” she says. “There is so much more that Japan has to do… just look at the whole Sugita thing… this was a woman in a position of political power who was basically calling me a liar.”
Ito hopes that Black Box Diaries will mark the end of her story and the beginning of a more honest discussion about sexual violence. “I still have ups and downs, but they’re getting shallower,” she says. “I’m 35 now and have spent most of my youth dealing with this. I don’t know any different – what it would have been like to have had a ‘normal’ life in my late 20s.” She adds, “I’d like people who watch the documentary to feel that we all have the power to tell a story. And I hope it empowers them to believe in themselves and reach out.”
Black Box Diaries is released on 25 October.
Conclusion
Shiori Ito’s story is a powerful testament to the courage it takes to speak out against sexual violence. Her determination to tell her story, despite the challenges and traumas she has faced, has led to significant changes in Japan’s legal landscape. As she hopes that her documentary will mark the beginning of a more honest discussion about sexual violence, her story serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of believing survivors and dismantling the taboos that surround sexual assault.
FAQs
Q: What is Black Box Diaries?
A: Black Box Diaries is a documentary film directed by Shiori Ito, her directorial debut, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival. The documentary is a deeply personal retelling of Ito’s experience of being drugged, forcibly taken to a hotel, and raped by Noriyuki Yamaguchi.
Q: What is the main focus of the documentary?
A: The documentary tells the story of Ito’s experience and its aftermath, exploring themes of trauma, courage, and determination. It also delves into the legal and political issues surrounding sexual assault in Japan.
Q: Has Shiori Ito found a Japanese distributor for the documentary?
A: Not yet. Ito has faced challenges in finding a distributor, citing concerns about the controversial subject matter and Yamaguchi’s ongoing presence in Japanese media.
Q: What legal changes has Shiori Ito’s case led to in Japan?
A: Ito’s case has led to the revision of a rape law that had forced victims to prove they were incapacitated by violence at the time of the assault. The new definition of rape is "non-consensual sexual intercourse," which broadens the scope of the law.
Q: What is the #MeToo movement like in Japan?
A: The #MeToo movement is present in Japan, although Ito believes it has not been as strong as in other countries, such as South Korea and China. She notes that Japan still has a long way to go in addressing sexual violence and dismantling taboos surrounding the topic.
COMMENTS