Black Box Diaries

This documentary makes me feel what actually happened in a drama can happen in real life. The unfortunate encounter of Ito who being raped by a Japanese official Yamaguchi is the story about this movie. It documented the incidence happened in 2015 to 2023 where the case be "settled". Yamaguchi is a close friend of ex-prime minister Abe. It's very alike many movie storyline that how a native citizen flight again powerful politician from nothing to have something. The end of the story didn't happen to be what happen to those movies but it actually is what the reality ending is (you will find out what I meant after watching). Even the ending wasn't as ideal as I expect, Ito did win in all aspects and made the society a step forward against sexual violence. It's really moving for the collaboration of people in this case, the standout of victims Ito's seeking for justice publicly and the doorman part, highly recommended to watch a story that is something real happening in life.

This film should be mindful that attorneys, acting on the wishes of copyright holders whose materials have been used without permission, have issued demands for immediate editing or deletion. These demands come from the very attorneys who represented the director in the civil lawsuit that features prominently in the film itself. If the attorneys' demands are indeed valid, it may discourage individuals or organizations from supporting evidence collection, even when survivors of sexual abuse bravely come forward. Such an outcome would deliver a severe and lasting blow to efforts to hold perpetrators accountable and secure justice for victims. Should this happen, it would call into question the very purpose for which the film was produced and publicly released.

Japanese journalist Shiori Ito's brave and self-documented quest for justice is a powerful and emotional exploration of Japan's approach to handling rape victims, where only 4% of such crimes are reported to the authorities.

Similar to the process of writing a memoir, the creation of this film serves as a therapeutic means of confronting trauma, allowing for reflection and analysis, and enabling others to engage with her experience and empathize with the cause. Through this endeavor, Shiori Ito emerges as a remarkable figure, one who has put aside her own comfort to advocate for necessary reforms in her country's antiquated justice system.

In 2015, Shiori Ito was an intern at Reuters when she was drugged and sexually assaulted by Noriyuki Yamaguchi, the senior journalist and head of the Washington bureau for the Tokyo Broadcasting System. He refuted her claims, asserting that their encounter was consensual, exemplifying the all-too-common "he said, she said" dilemma that many women face. Throughout her struggle to file charges, she encountered numerous obstacles, highlighting a flawed system where the definitions of rape and consent are murky, and the process of obtaining a rape kit for evidence is fraught with challenges. This contributes, as I mentioned at the beginning, to the alarming underreporting of such cases in Japan.

In May 2017, she finally decides to go public, making one last effort to push for an investigation into her case. She documents her journey, sharing her thoughts, the behind-the-scenes aspects of the court proceedings, and the writing of her memoir - and this was the part where it felt like a rae victim exploitation documentary! Just my feeling - uneasy one. With CCTV footage from that night and interviews with peripheral figures like the taxi driver and door concierge, we witness the online vitriol directed at her and the political connections Yamaguchi had, highlighting the immense frustration and scale of her struggle.

Documentaries of this nature are challenging to watch, and they should be. Ito emerges as a natural journalist, relentlessly pursuing the truth amid the chaos. She is determined and strong, yet also vulnerable and fearful for her safety. She understands that her efforts are for others who have faced similar experiences and been overlooked. Aware that she will be labeled a victim and that this could impact her career and treatment by others, her bravery shines through. The film elevates her from victim to champion, and while the trauma of the assault occasionally surfaces, it does not define her or portray her as weak.

A very sobering example of how behind Japanese law and society as whole is when it comes to sexual assault and harassment.

It makes absolutely no sense for there to be video evidence with multiple camera angles of someone being pulled half-conscious into a hotel with multiple witnesses saying she was trying to leave where it is later reported as a sexual assault and claim there is not enough evidence to even investigate it. It was an incredibly intelligent move to document the whole process of pursing justice as many who are not aware of how negatively victims are looked at in Japan would not believe it if you told them.

"Black Box Diaries" is a deeply moving and courageous documentary that tackles a social issue that is still shrouded in stigma yet destroys countless lives. Directed by Shiori Ito, the film recounts her own harrowing experience of sexual assault by a prominent journalist in Japan, an event that made her a key figure in the country's #MeToo movement. Through raw and intimate footage, Ito bravely documents her journey to seek justice in a legal system that had seen little change in over a century. Her story isn't just a personal account-it's a powerful critique of the systemic failures that have long silenced survivors.

What makes "Black Box Diaries" truly stand out is how it balances the personal with the universal. Ito's willingness to turn the camera on herself, capturing her emotions and struggles, brings a deep sense of authenticity to the film. At the same time, it sparks a much-needed conversation about sexual violence and the urgent need for change, both in Japan and globally. The documentary is not just a retelling of one woman's fight for justice-it's a powerful call to action, reminding us of the ongoing battle many survivors face and the importance of challenging the systems that continue to let them down.