Tokyo: A Japanese #MeToo pioneer’s highly anticipated documentary finally premiered in Japan on Friday, after facing multiple delays.
One audience member expressed her hope that the release would serve as a catalyst for profound societal transformation.
Shiori Ito, who achieved a landmark legal victory in 2019 by winning a civil lawsuit against a Japanese TV reporter she accused of sexual assault a claim the reporter vehemently denies transformed her harrowing experience into the groundbreaking documentary Black Box Diaries, which premiered internationally last year.
However, some segments of the film, containing covertly recorded video and audio intended solely for court use, caused significant delays in its domestic release in Japan.
In a statement, publicist Toei Advertising confirmed that the Oscar-nominated film would finally be shown in Japan after "revisions and adjustments" were made to meet local legal and cultural standards.
“I have spent the last decade creating this film, thinking of it as a heartfelt tribute to Japan,” said Ito during the Tokyo cinema screening. “It holds immense significance to me that this film is now being released in Japan, the country where I was raised and where I hope people will confront this issue head-on.”
Ito, who endured vicious online attacks for publicly sharing her story, pointed out that despite several high-profile cases, Japan has yet to experience a widespread #MeToo movement.
Government surveys indicate that a majority of rape victims in Japan do not report the crime to the authorities, though consultations at sexual violence support centers have been steadily increasing.
Black Box Diaries left an indelible emotional impact on those who watched it at the T-Joy Prince Shinagawa cinema.
“I couldn’t watch it without crying. It’s nothing short of miraculous that she is still alive today. I have nothing but the deepest respect for her bravery,” said Yuko Ono, a publishing house employee in her 60s, speaking to AFP.
