Japan #MeToo survivor says media failing to report sexual assault cases properly

Women in Japan, women world wide get treated appallingly.

Agree with every sentiment expressed in this article.

All women need a safe space to report their rapes and sexual assaults. They are the victims. They should not be made to feel ashamed or it happened because of their fault.

One of the bravest and most resilient woman in Japan. Nothing but admiration and respect for her.

Japan ranks 118 out of 146 on the gender equality index.

While it's an advanced country in many ways, it would hardly be unfair to say that it's a country with an attitude to women that's severely outdated.

“She eventually won $30,000 in damages in a civil case followed by a toughening of Japan's rape laws.”

Great admiration for her struggle and insistence on speaking out.

As far as the article, this isn’t unexpected as Japan is always half a decade to a decade behind whatever social issue was going on in the USA.

So as far as timeline it’s #metoo time in Japan by now.

Blacklabel...there's more to the world than the USA...

Let's see them do a documentary on false accusations, honey-traps, etc.

Male victims are often ignored or shamed.

so she "eventually" was awarded $30,000 in a civil claim, while the woman in the Nakai case got a behind-the-scenes "settlement" of ¥90 million.

"While the documentary has been shown around the world, it has not been released in Japan." speechless, really.....

While the documentary has been shown around the world, it has not been released in Japan.

Typical. Just shows how mature the Japanese are when it comes to owning up to all the horrible things about Japan.

got a behind-the-scenes "settlement" of ¥90 million.

and then released an image type sexy photo book to maximize the advantage of her time in the spotlight.

I respect this lady here for doing none of that. To her financial detriment sadly but that’s not what this is about for her.

Let's see them do a documentary on false accusations, honey-traps, etc.

Male victims are often ignored or shamed.

There have been. There was a very good movie about it.

It does not however mean that accusations of rape should not be investigated.

GuruMickToday  04:56 pm JST

Women in Japan, women world wide get treated appallingly.

Agree with every sentiment expressed in this article.

The whole point of the article is to point out that Japan has a worse problem with sexual assault so please do not attempt to do it dismiss a deminish that fact.

She's a very interesting character. She's spent a lot of time outside Japan, according to her Wikipedia page, including in the US and Europe, and I wonder if that goes some way to explaining her tenacity: she's seen and experienced countries with better attitudes towards women and knows that Japan needs to change in that regard.

It's hardly a secret that some men feel intimidated by a smart woman, and while appearance is subjective, I think most people would say she is a very striking looking lady. That's a pretty challenging combination for a culture which prefers women to look cute and giggle a lot.

Anyway, more power to her.

“She eventually won $30,000 in damages in a civil case followed by a toughening of Japan's rape laws.”

How tough can they be when Nakai walks after a non-disclosure payment

The corruption of this industry is endemic and disgusting! That the Johnnie’s founder could get away with raping thousands of young boys and not even be prosecuted is a black mark on Japans history and a legacy of shame!

This case is just another painful reminder that Japan has a very long way to go when it comes to the power imbalance of these organisations and people running them vs the mostly naive souls who think they can join without paying a heavy price!

The thing that still irks me about this situation is that petty grievances get so much more attention. Like it was a fad. Japan blasted through the #MeToo movement like a trend. Before survivors of truly horrific things done to them could get the chance to be acknowledged and taken seriously in Japan, I feel like the movement was trivialized. Cases of power abuses and harassment weren’t discussed as much as situations like unwanted advances in social situations were taking over. And is the case in Japan, new forms of harassment started taking center stage. Alcohol harassment, quitting harassment and my favorite smell harassment.

There are inconveniences in life. Not everything is life altering. A woman being raped is awful. I’d like the country and media to give more attention to very real and very traumatic issues.

In the Nakai case, most Japanese media used the word "trouble" instead of directly referring to the allegations of sexual violence -- something Ito feels "so mad" about.

"It could sound like there was romantic involvement," or as if "the woman must have done something", she said.

Until they come out and tell us what happened, it's very well possible that the woman indeed did something.

There are reported cases, however those are from the general population not from the rich, untouchable side of Japan. Have you ever heard of a Japanese politician, corporate boss, ever being charged with something like this? The more money you have in Japan, the more protected are you.

However, there is also another side of the story, and that is some fake charges and blackmail that sometimes have an opposite effect on this whole ordeal.

I had the privilege of going to the UK premiere of Shiori Ito's Black Box Diaries and Ms. Ito herself was in attendance. It was a very insightful documentary and her Q&A after equally so. It rightly deserves its Oscar nomination, and hopefully the international attention her documentary and story are receiving will actually force the Japanese government to do something about their appalling approach and treatment towards victims of sexual crimes, as well as encourage more of these victims to come forward and report what happened so they can get justice.

How tough can they be when Nakai walks after a non-disclosure payment

Why are you and others intent on trying to diminish this woman’s suffering and achievement?

That Shiori Ito's documentary "Black Box Diaries" has not been shown here is nothing short of a farce.

Any Japanese movie that has achieved such recognition in the global cinema world, attracting many nominations and wins for top awards, would normally be fawned over in Japan as an example of Japanese exemplary talent.

But no.

Nothing.

Why?

The Pull and Power of those in the pointy end of the pyramid to crush any disturbance to the Wa.

And ex prime minister Abe's close relationship to rapist Yamaguchi just couldn't be allowed to be shown publicly, so it's been foot on the throat.

Shame on the Media. Shame on Movie Distribution Inc. Shame on Politicians and shame on the Movie Houses.

Hoping the corrupt and debauched acts and going ons in Entertainment Inc incl Johnnies & Nakai, creates enough public interest in the Black Box Diaries to demand it's showing.

Anything less is a crime.

 I feel like the movement was trivialized.

I felt the woman, who I'm sure was ex-gravure (bikini pinup) by the way, trying to change metoo in Japan from a movement about sexual harassment and sexual assault (e.g., Feinstein) to a movement about women's shoes certainly trivialized it. Lots of people cheered her on, probably because they thought kutoo was a cutesy Japanese pun on metoo. Some of them seemed to think she was talking about ankle breaking high heels and not the actual 5cm heels the Japanese women wear at very formal jobs. Such as like the funeral directors' where the kutoo woman worked.

If associating sexual assault with uncomfortable (but not extreme) footwear is not trivializing it, I do not know what is.

That Shiori Ito's documentary "Black Box Diaries" has not been shown here is nothing short of a farce.

Ms. Ito talked about this at the premiere. Japanese networks and studios apparently show reluctance to "getting involved" and she and her team are having issues getting it greenlit to be shown in Japan. If it wins the Oscar, it'll hopefully force Japan to confront the very glaring issue they have regarding sex crimes. The documentary has made it rounds at all the big and popular film festivals around the world already, so the story's out there. Can't hide now!

Japanese major media had always reported or featured whenever something "Japan" is nominated to overseas prestigious film awards such as Cannes, Venezia or Oscar, but they still ignore her film or herself completely.

Besides, domestic major media still continue to avoid to mention this case itself that police suddenly and un-naturally canceled to arrest biographor of the then PM.

She is still suffered innumerable sexism harassments or slander or insult through mainly online from Japanese far-rights who deifying former PM Abe, But such situation is virtually abandoned.

And, unlike other countries, Japan has no even system for fair use.

Japanese major media had always reported or featured whenever something "Japan" is nominated to overseas prestigious film awards such as Cannes, Venezia or Oscar, but they still ignore her film or herself completely.

It's also the first ever Japanese documentary to get nominated for an Oscar. The fact that there's no coverage about it in local Japanese news and media outlets speaks volumes.

A crime should always be judiciarized and investigated.

Or does it mean you could rape and each time pay ?

We aren't even allowed to know what Nakai did. The police and media have deliberately made it that way, like they usually do for powerful men.

I don't ever want to see another comment question why women don't report sexual assault. All you have to do is take one look at what Shiroi went though to understand the hell it can be. This includes people who accuse victims of lying - no one wants that kind of attention, even for the supposed payout they assume the victim is attempting to get.

"" Japanese media are still failing to report sexual assault cases properly, ""

When the guards are the thieves what else do you expect??

Why are you and others intent on trying to diminish this woman’s suffering and achievement?

You're confused. I'm pissed that a woman got sexually assualted without the perpetrator going to jail...because he has money.

Victims of crime are only compensated if the victim agrees. For many rape victims, it may be less emotional stress than testifying in court. Compensation is not offered in all cases.

Tokyo GuyJan. 29  05:45 pm JST

Japan ranks 118 out of 146 on the gender equality index.

While it's an advanced country in many ways, it would hardly be unfair to say that it's a country with an attitude to women that's severely outdated.

The gender equality index is a pretty lazy measure that doesn't really tell you anything about gender dynamics.

Two things that Japan supposedly ranks lowest on is the wage gap (this is a misnomer, the correct term is income gap) and participation in High-ranking or political decisions.

While Japan has a lot of work to do when it comes to getting women into positions of political power, it is the income gap is a pretty lazy statistic.

It does not take into account that women choose to:

-work less lucrative professions than men

-work less hours than men

-work flexible part-time positions more than men

-take more time off work than men

-leave work to raise family more often than men

-not negotiate higher salaries as often as men do

-not pursue post-graduate degrees at the same rate as men

The gender equality index is a very lazy statistic, so keep that in mind.

Victims of crime are only compensated if the victim agrees. For many rape victims, it may be less emotional stress than testifying in court. 

There is more to consider than the victim of the crime. A rapist has been allowed to go free. That poses a threat to other women. It also sends a signal to men with money..."if you rape someone...just pay them off and all will be forgiven"

Japan ranks 118 out of 146 on the gender equality index.

Based on myopic metrics that don't take in a myriad of factors.

Japanese women rule the social world and the home.

Geeter MckluskieToday 11:55 am JST

Based on myopic metrics that don't take in a myriad of factors.

Japanese women rule the social world and the home.

Rape and other forms of sexual assault are the result of misogyny in Japanese society.

There is more to consider than the victim of the crime. A rapist has been allowed to go free.

The law can't do much in these cases without an accusation in the first place, the whole point of the deal is to "convince" the victim or not making that accusation, so there is "no crime", so the law has nothing to justify its actions.

Japanese women rule the social world and the home.

In the same way an accountant or administrator "rule" a company, they don't.

When powerful men are easily forgiven for having affairs and even illegitimate children, while women are all but crucified if they do the same it becomes completely clear that women are relegated to a very distant second category also in the "social world)"

Rape and other forms of sexual assault are the result of misogyny in Japanese society.

In all societies

in the same way an accountant or administrator "rule" a company, they don't.

Neither accountants nor administrators make all the decisions of a company...as women do in the household in Japan.

When powerful men are easily forgiven for having affairs and even illegitimate children, while women are all but crucified if they do the same it becomes completely clear that women are relegated to a very distant second category also in the "social world)"

When there is a divorce (due to an affair) regardless of whether the woman or man is at fault...the woman gets the kids...AND the financial support of the husband who may or may not even have access to his own children.

Men are mules tasked with bringing home the bacon. That's how the social world in Japan views them.

If a case goes to court there is no sure way to know if the suspect will be found guilty. Depending on the evidence. Always a lot of “she says” “he says”.

If a case goes to court there is no sure way to know if the suspect will be found guilty. Depending on the evidence. Always a lot of “she says” “he says”.

But we are often told that Japan has a 98% conviction rate in court?

Neither accountants nor administrators make all the decisions of a company...as women do in the household in Japan.

No, they don't, or are you saying they take the decision of letting their husbands have second or third famlies? that makes absolutely no sense. The "take" the decisions the husbands are not interested in taking in the first place, they are left the chore or running the house or raising the children. Things that the men in the Japanese society consider below their level.

When there is a divorce (due to an affair) regardless of whether the woman or man is at fault...the woman gets the kids

Yes, because they are seen as her responsibility, once again when the men simply cut their ties society perfectly justifies this since what man is going to lose time with the children? But if a woman do the same? ohh then you can count on society punishing her as much as possible since she is running away from her obligations. Is the same as having a dirty house, it is something the husband has to "endure" because it is the responsibility of the wife to clean up.

Once again, "letting" women do the hard work in no way means they are in power, it is the opposite.

The law can't do much in these cases without an accusation in the first place, the whole point of the deal is to "convince" the victim or not making that accusation, so there is "no crime", so the law has nothing to justify its actions.

Why is there a news story about sexual assualt then? What was the reason for paying the woman hush money?

If the "law has nothing to justify its actions"...then the news should be sued for defamation for dragging Nakai's name through the mud.

OR...the police should charge him with the sexual assault he's been accused of in the news.

Why is there a news story about sexual assualt then? What was the reason for paying the woman hush money?

Where in the story it is said that there was an accusation? The article you are commenting in clearly says the articles even have to use the word "trouble" between the parties precisely because of this. Having trouble with other people is not against the law, so there is no accusation, no crime, no penalty.

What was the reason for paying the woman hush money?

Carefully unspecified "trouble". Again, you are trying to misrepresent what is openly recognized about the case as a crime, but nowhere this is reported as such,

If the "law has nothing to justify its actions"...then the news should be sued for defamation for dragging Nakai's name through the mud.

The news are not accusing him of sexual assault, the articles report people believe this to be the case, if anything you are the one making this claim so you would be the one that could be sued for defamation.

OR...the police should charge him with the sexual assault he's been accused of in the news.

First, the news do not accuse him, you are. Second, what are they going to accuse him for? assaulting the news? you think complete outsiders can simply accuse someone in opposite of what the victim says? The name of the victim is not even officially recognized so what is the police going to do?

I mean, you are completely free of making the accusation and present proof, identify the victim, etc. etc. Let us know how it goes.

No, they don't, or are you saying they take the decision of letting their husbands have second or third famlies? that makes absolutely no sense.

You're right. That makes absolutely no sense.

First, the news do not accuse him, you are.

"Masahiro Nakai, a TV host and former pop star in Japan, retires after sexual assault report"

The above is the headline from the Associated Press

https://apnews.com/article/japan-smap-sex-assault-nakai-fuji-07a9afba447ff0a2d0387d8b783fae8d

"Masahiro Nakai, a TV host and former pop star in Japan, retires after sexual assault report"

So, you recognize there is no accusation, right? you accept you made a false claim and now are correcting it.

Now, if you want you are free to make an accusation with the police based on reports. If not, what would be the point of criticizing other people for not doing something you yourself won't do?

So, you recognize there is no accusation, right? 

after sexual assault report

accusation and reports are not the same word,

reports of sexual assault

Geeter MckluskieToday 01:19 pm JST

Rape and other forms of sexual assault are the result of misogyny in Japanese society.

In all societies

I'm glad you agree.

It doesn't help that many of these women are willing to settle outside of criminal court for undisclosed amounts of money. A lot of women who are victims of sexual assaults simply don't have the intestinal fortitude to publicly oust their attackers or seek justice and not monetary compensation. Some women also see it as a chance to get paid, so the media and the courts in the country are fine with sweeping it under the rug.