Shiori Ito’s Oscar-Nominated Film Sheds Light on Justice and Gender in Japan

A Groundbreaking yet Controversial Film

A powerful documentary by Japanese journalist Shiori Ito, titled Black Box Diaries, has made history as the first full-length documentary directed by a Japanese filmmaker to be nominated for an Academy Award. The film, which is nominated for Best Documentary Feature at the 2024 Oscars, chronicles Ito’s harrowing journey seeking justice after she reported being raped by a prominent TV journalist. Yet, despite its global acclaim, the film remains unavailable in Japan, highlighting the country’s reluctance to confront uncomfortable truths about gender, power, and systemic injustice.

Black Box Diaries premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in January 2024 and has since been released in over 30 countries. However, in Japan, the film has faced significant resistance. A major streaming service’s Japanese subsidiary declined to distribute it, and theaters have shown little interest in screening it. This lack of support escalated in October 2023 when some of Ito’s former lawyers and supporters, including fellow journalists, publicly criticized her for using footage of individuals without their consent.

The Struggle for Justice and Accountability

At the heart of Black Box Diaries is Ito’s courageous account of her experience with Japan’s justice system after she reported the alleged rape in 2017. The incident occurred at a hotel, where she claims she was assaulted by Noriyuki Yamaguchi, a well-known journalist and biographer of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Despite her allegations, the criminal case was dropped after two months, and Yamaguchi denied any wrongdoing. Ito later won a civil suit against him, with the Supreme Court of Japan upholding the ruling in her favor.

The film not only recounts Ito’s personal ordeal but also examines the broader systemic issues faced by women in Japan who dare to speak out about sexual violence. Ito’s story has made her a symbol of the #MeToo movement in Japan, which lags behind other countries in addressing gender-based violence and supporting survivors. However, her advocacy has also sparked backlash, with critics accusing her of seeking attention to advance her career.

Cultural Resistance to Unflattering Narratives

Black Box Diaries is not the first film to face resistance in Japan due to its unflattering portrayal of societal issues. Films like The Cove (2009), which exposed dolphin hunting practices in Taiji, and Unbroken (2014), which depicted the mistreatment of Allied prisoners during World War II, both faced delays in their release in Japan. Such examples highlight a cultural tendency to avoid confronting uncomfortable truths, particularly those that challenge the nation’s image or reveal systemic flaws.

Ito believes that Black Box Diaries is encountering resistance because it sheds light on topics often swept under the rug in Japanese society. “This film is not just about sexual violence,” she explained. “It’s about power, corruption, and systemic problems. I am making many people uncomfortable, that’s for sure.” Her words underscore the broader implications of the film, which goes beyond her personal story to critique the legal system and societal attitudes toward women.

Legal and Ethical Controversies Surrounding the Film

The film’s release in Japan has been further complicated by concerns over privacy and consent. In October 2023, a group of lawyers, including some who had previously supported Ito, held a news conference to criticize her for using footage of individuals without their permission. They specifically objected to scenes featuring a taxi driver, a police detective, and one of the lawyers, as well as security camera footage of Ito being dragged into a hotel by Yamaguchi. The lawyers argued that these scenes invaded the privacy of those involved and demanded that they be deleted or altered.

In response to the criticism, Ito issued an apology for “causing harm” by not obtaining proper consent and announced that she was working on a modified version of the film to protect individuals’ privacy. However, she and the film’s producers have refused to remove certain scenes, such as the security footage, which they argue is crucial evidence of the assault. Eric Nyari, a producer of the film, emphasized the importance of balancing privacy concerns with the need to expose the truth. “There are certain areas where we are meeting concerns,” he said, “but there are certain areas where we believe we’re in the right and we are not going to change.”

The Personal Toll of Advocacy

The controversy surrounding Black Box Diaries has taken a significant toll on Ito. In February 2024, she canceled a Tokyo news conference at the last minute, citing medical reasons. A limited screening of an edited version of the film was also scrapped. The stress of the situation has weighed heavily on her, underscoring the challenges faced by women who dare to challenge the status quo in Japan.

Despite the backlash, Ito remains committed to her cause. She hopes that Black Box Diaries will serve as a catalyst for change, ensuring that no woman has to endure the same painful experience she went through. Her story has resonated with many, particularly in a society where victims of sexual violence often face victim-blaming and stigma.

The Bigger Picture: A Call for Change

Black Box Diaries is more than just a personal story; it is a powerful indictment of systemic injustice and a call to action for a society that often turns a blind eye to gender-based violence. At a time when Japan is slowly beginning to confront issues of gender inequality, Ito’s film offers a searing reminder of the work that remains to be done.

While the film’s Oscar nomination is a testament to its global resonance, its absence in Japan highlights the ongoing struggle to address uncomfortable truths. As the country grapples with these issues, Black Box Diaries stands as a beacon of hope for those seeking justice and a more equitable society. Whether or not it wins the Oscar, the film has already made history by bringing a taboo topic into the spotlight.