Shiori Ito, a 36-year-old journalist, has become a prominent figure in Japan's #MeToo movement following her public allegations of rape against a well-known television correspondent. After an encounter in a Tokyo hotel room nine years ago, she won a civil suit against the accused.
As she prepares for the theatrical release of her documentary, “Black Box Diaries,” in the United States and the United Kingdom, Ms. Ito expresses frustration with questions about her future plans in the fight against sexual violence. She emphasizes that the responsibility now lies with the audience, stating, “You watched it. Now it’s with you, you take it, it’s not me.”
Ms. Ito's documentary, which debuted at the Sundance Film Festival in January, explores her experiences with Japan's patriarchal justice system. It has been screened at over 50 film festivals globally, yet it has not been released in Japan, likely due to the controversial nature of her case involving Noriyuki Yamaguchi, a former influential figure in Japanese media.
The film documents the police investigation into Ms. Ito's allegations, which were ultimately dropped for lack of evidence. Initially, she recorded her interactions with law enforcement for protection, but she later chose to go public in a 2017 news conference, defying family advice to remain silent.
Criticism followed her announcement, including attacks on her attire during the press conference. Despite this, Ms. Ito remained defiant, rejecting traditional expectations of how she should present herself. After facing severe backlash, she relocated to London, where she began collaborating on the documentary with Swedish journalist Hanna Aqvilin.
Throughout the filming process, Ms. Ito expressed herself more comfortably in English, stating that she struggled to convey her emotions in Japanese. The documentary features over 400 hours of footage, capturing her journey and the complexities of her experiences.
As Ms. Ito looks to the future, she hopes to create more documentary films on various subjects after her current tour concludes. She recently spoke at a gender equity forum, drawing parallels between violence against women in Japan and issues like female genital mutilation in Sierra Leone.
Ms. Ito's message resonates with many, inspiring them to challenge cultural expectations and advocate for change in society.