Original subtitles

[water running]

So I decided to document myself.

How I feel and yeah…

What's going to happen next, I don't know.

But I know by next week

after the 10th of May,

which is five days before my 28th birthday,

things will change and…

I have a chance to talk about the truth,

what happened to me two years ago,

which have been, I feel,

which has been ignored.

Um…

This could be a big change

in my life

and some others or many others.

And I'm…

…not sure.

I'm scared and I'm not sure

if I could be responsible for that

but all I want to do is talk about the truth.

[soft piano music]

[piano music picking up speed]

Hi Big Sis, how are you?

[Shiori's sister]

Mom told me you’re going public about that incident.

But you’ll be stigmatized.

Even if you keep working as a journalist, people will think,

“Oh, she’s that victim.”

So, I don’t want you to show your face.

[rhythmic piano music]

Can you tell me what happened?

He’s been a journalist in politics for a long time.

He has friends at the police, and very close to Prime Minister Abe.

That really scares me.

[rhythmic piano music]

There’s no evidence, so your case is difficult.

Do you mean DNA evidence?

Yes, there’s not even semen.

But the DNA from my bra…

That only proves that he touched it, nothing else.

[Investigator A]

- Yes. - Yes.

Without solid evidence,

your future will be in jeopardy, Ms. Ito.

[rhythmic piano music]

Hello, excuse me.

[Shiori]

[car door slamming]

I have no memory of that night.

I didn’t know there was an incident.

[Taxi driver]

I remember coming up this road.

Picked you two up there.

You wanted to get off at the nearest station.

I said Meguro Station was closest.

It was the same direction as the Sheraton Hotel.

But as we were approaching the station,

he wanted to discuss something at his hotel, and told me to drive there.

I sort of remember you saying, “drop me off at the station”.

I didn't know whose instructions to follow.

I asked again if I should go to the hotel, and he said yes.

He said something like, "I won't do anything".

“I just want to talk.”

How many times did I ask you to let me off at the station?

To let me go home?

Maybe two or three times.

When we got to the hotel, you didn't get off.

Usually passengers get out quickly, right?

But you weren’t getting out.

I wondered what was going on.

Then, the man carried you out.

[static noise]

[soft piano music]

[distant street noises]

[camera flashes]

[chatting]

The police initially refused to accept my victim’s report.

Stating the current law makes it difficult to investigate sex crimes.

And that Yamaguchi is a prominent figure, Washington Chief of Tokyo Broadcasting System.

Since the incident, I’ve focused as a journalist on seeking the truth.

I had no other choice.

If I were to face myself as the victim,

I would be crushed mentally.

My work has been the only way to protect myself.

People need to know about the horrors of rape, and how deeply it affects one's life.

By becoming a victim for the first time,

I learned how unheard our voices are.

As a journalist, it’s necessary to raise these issues.

My chest tightened as I watched Yamaguchi continue to speak from a position of power.

What does “freedom of speech” mean in this country?

What do the laws and the media truly protect?

It’s rare to show your face in a rape accusation.

Why have you chosen to show your face?

Right.

The typical expectation of a victim.

To be sad and weak, to hide and be embarrassed.

I had a problem with this norm.

I have nothing to hide.

If I don’t speak now, the law will not change.

That’s why I’m coming forward.

Do you think Yamaguchi’s close relationship with Prime Minister Abe played a role?

[Female reporter 2]

I believe some sort of higher power had an influence.

A higher power?

Yes.

Japanese men are attractive.

That’s why many women use them to advance their careers.

[Male voice 1]

Must be sex friends falling out, and she wants revenge.

[Male voice 1]

For a rape victim, she showed too much chest.

[Female voice 2]

For a honey trap, how frightening to send this level of woman.

[Male voice 2]

Unbelievable how she criticizes Japan, and still wants to live here.

She should be choked.

[footsteps]

Did that van move?

[Kana]

The windows look blacked out.

[Kana]

[Shiori on the phone] I wanna hide myself

and just, you know, try to not be in public

so, yeah.

Say that again?

Sunglasses? Okay, yeah, I will do that.

Shiori, get ready to stay at my place.

Throw away food from your fridge.

Okay.

[Shiori]

[laughter]

Living out of their bedroom right now,

that’s me!

She’s like a baby crying in the middle of the night.

I wake up worried.

And she's restless in bed.

I see she’s suffering so I calm her down.

I pat her back until she sleeps.

But then soon she wakes up again.

When I have to leave, I give her sleeping pills.

I cry out for her.

She panics when alone, so I make sure she takes her pills.

I didn’t think it would become so big.

It’ll take a while for this to unfold.

You stopped being able to work.

You can’t go outside.

Slandered by people you’ve never met, who don’t know anything.

That’s unacceptable.

Even so, you’re trying to survive.

I want your efforts to become something.

For you professionally, too.

It must result in something.

Because I promised to take care of them in old age.

After Shiori’s press conference,

people online questioned, “Is she attacking the government?”

A lot of abusive, irresponsible comments.

- The press conference… - What?

I was told to wear a black suit.

That was just advice, right?

A suggestion?

They told me the media will be hard on me if I don’t dress properly.

And was it true?

I learned the hard way.

- They called me a prostitute. - A prostitute?

Because my shirt button was open.

What era are we living in?

Then I should have worn something absurd, to make them question my sanity.

I was joking, saying

"Don't give me a dress code, I'd rather wear a bikini or a flashy dress."

“What the heck?”

I was complaining about that.

And they said that’s what the media is like. The National Press Club.

That’s messed up.

[Male friend]

[cheers]

On the 29th of last month,

a woman held a press conference at the National Press Club.

Although some people support her,

others have criticized her attire, and things unrelated to her case.

The current rape law is founded on patriarchal values,

intended to protect wives who were subordinate to their husbands.

Even in the proposed changes to the law, this way of thinking has not progressed.

Rape can only be proved by severe physical violence and threats,

and not by lack of consent.

[Shiori] You know, many people already witnessed

what kind of negative reactions I got.

And…

That's not okay.

I mean, I don't want to be a bad example

for these people who need to speak,

need to ask for help.

And let them think,

"Okay, this is what's going to happen"

and "I can't do this."

No. This is not okay.

So, I have to be speaking up.

I shouldn't stop speaking

because I don't want to let people know this…

You know, this made me shut up. No.

[sombre music]

[Shiori] These are transcripts.

I recorded our conversations

between investigators and prosecutors.

Just because…

From the beginning,

I didn't feel like they were doing their job.

And I felt like everything they said was an excuse.

So yeah, I hid a small recorder in my bra

or wherever I could hide on my body.

I recorded in the past two years.

One of the I think most important things

in this recording is that this investigator…

I'm calling him Investigator "A".

He… A helped us get insider information.

So yeah, here, we can see what he said,

what he found.

Um…

And without these recordings, no one would believe,

no one would believe what I heard.

[sombre music]

This case is tough, because there’s no evidence.

If you had proof or a memory…

Like I said, my memory came back when…

Can you tell me what time, to the minute?

No, but it was just before 5 am.

On what basis?

Because I left the hotel around 5:30.

You left at 5:50, so you’re wrong.

[Investigator A]

You have no memory.

When I woke up, I was being raped.

I was told that’s not enough.

Even if the act was happening when I woke up?

Because there’s no evidence.

I don’t understand.

[Shiori crying]

[distant street noises]

I knew what you were saying before, but the law has its limits.

Still, I understand how you feel, so I don’t want this to end here.

Believe me.

But we police have to explain things.

We have to make choices based on what’s best for the victim.

I talked to the prosecutor…

You were refused, right?

He initially said it was difficult to prosecute.

What about now?

Now you’ve got new evidence, and I want to get a hold of it.

If I bring more evidence to the prosecutor, he might give the case a try.

[busy street sounds]

[phone calling]

The number you have dialed cannot be reached…

[answering machine]

[zipper]

Nice to meet you.

Sorry to call you suddenly.

[Policeman]

The person who was investigating this case, why is he no longer in charge?

Investigator A? He was transferred because he was good at his job.

That's all there is to it.

What was supposed to be an arrest turned into voluntary questioning.

You may be unconvinced.

There is an arrest warrant.

But just because we have a warrant, it doesn’t mean we can make an arrest.

Are you okay?

Are you saying that what he did to me is not enough to arrest him?

That’s not what I’m saying.

[Policewoman]

So you have a valid arrest warrant now?

I can't answer that.

But you just said that you have one.

I didn't say that.

Oh, really.

[Shiori]

I personally don’t do the green lighting, I just do what my bosses tell me.

[traffic]

Did you hear about me?

[Investigator A laughing]

I heard you were transferred because you’re good at your job.

Well, that’s misleading.

[Investigator A]

This shouldn’t be over the phone.

[Shiori] Yes.

Good evening.

[Shiori]

I'm sorry, it's late at night.

No problem.

[Shiori]

Thank you for coming after work.

I’m sorry, but I was suddenly thrown off the case.

[Investigator A]

I don’t know what they told you at Tokyo Police Headquarters,

but we definitely had an arrest warrant.

I brought the arrest warrant to Narita Airport, four of us were waiting in the car.

Then we got an order from higher-ups in the police saying,

"Wait, halt the arrest."

I’m part of the organization.

If I go against the higher-ups,

I’ll be known as a traitor.

I still don’t know why they stopped the arrest.

[Shiori] Yes.

I want to see how far I can go.

Then if everything fails, I can point out the problems with the law.

I think this case will stay with me forever.

[Investigator A]

[sombre music]

Thank you for having me today.

[Shiori]

Amazing, your business card says "Office for Violence Against Women".

A survey by the Cabinet Office showed

that only 4% of rape victims are able to report their rape to the police.

- This is accurate? - That's right.

So your position is that 96% of cases are not reported?

The reality is that 70% of victims do not seek help from services.

So connecting them to the Sexual Violence Support Center is the challenge.

The most difficult obstacle is going to the police.

And the hardest part for me was having to recreate the incident with a life-size doll.

What do you think about this investigative method?

Our Cabinet Office is not in a position to determine the facts of individual cases.

As for police investigation methods,

I think they should act according to the appropriate guidelines in place.

Yes, however…

this kind of talk has not led to action.

Guidelines for how to deal with victims have been around for 15-20 years.

So it’s truly a shame they’re not being used in daily operations.

We need to continue making efforts to fill in the weak spots.

Please excuse my abstract answer.

Thank you for your time.

You’re doing interviews in all the relevant areas?

Yes, but the Tokyo Police and National Police have not allowed me.

So, it’s the only government interview.

- We’re the only ‘officials’. - That’s how it turned out.

Yeah, the police…

I want to delay news about this book getting out.

[Publisher]

I’m concerned that Yamaguchi will try to stop the book's release through legal action.

Can he do that?

Yes.

- I didn’t know that. - It’s possible.

You are writing about him.

If you use real names, they can demand a ban.

But what about other media?

Such as?

Like magazines and newspapers.

They’re considered news, so it doesn’t apply.

But books can face legal action.

[Hanna] Okay, tell me, what is this?

"Black Box." That's the title of our book.

Of my book.

It's a term

that the prosecutor was always using.

He was always saying, "Because it's in a Black Box,

we'll never know what was really happening."

And I think that tells everything

about our justice system, how it's not working.

It just came.

This is the… Now I feel completed.

That I have a name for my book.

Black Box.

Yeah! More wine.

This is green box.

Look what we have, it's like a five litre of wine.

I love my green box.

[laughing]

You’re using your police phone?

It’s fine now.

- Are you sure? - I think so.

[static noise]

[Investigator A laughing]

- We can discuss when we meet. - Okay.

[Investigator A]

Shall we meet and talk next week?

Okay.

Should I prepare myself for anything?

No…

- I don’t think so. - Okay.

Goodbye.

Oh my gosh, that was the investigator.

So yeah, we're gonna meet at 6.

Next week, on the 13th, on Wednesday.

And I have a feeling,

of course he wants to talk about something.

Maybe he decided to come out, you know. I hope so.

Maybe he would talk that he wants to…

He wants to believe

and he wants to take his own path

to tell the truth and yeah, be part of it.

[chatting]

If possible, I would like you to talk publicly.

[Shiori]

Even become a witness.

That’s not possible.

Why not?

If I’m going to keep my job, I can’t do it.

No plans to quit?

I’d need financial security.

Too bad I can't provide that.

[Shiori]

I understand the need for change, and your desire to bring it about.

[Investigator A]

I think what you’re doing is important.

[Shiori] I have mixed emotions now,

because if I reveal what I've been writing in my book,

if that gets out

he could lose his job, so…

It's so hard to think.

I don't know what's the good thing to do.

But you know, if you're a journalist

who would go really into politicians'

house and stomach

and they have to know you're a journalist

and they have to know this can get out.

And our job is to tell the truth.

But he's a good guy,

so…

Representative Yunoki.

Police were waiting to arrest Yamaguchi at Narita Airport.

But they let him pass right by and leave.

Why?

When asked by the press if the arrest was halted

at the request of or out of respect for Prime Minister Abe or Secretary Suga,

Nakamura, Head of Tokyo Police said,

“I decided that arresting him was not necessary.”

This is about what's-her-name Shiori and Yamaguchi’s rape case…

Can I continue?

Stop the stenography.

[static noise]

I ask that you stop discussing private citizens in parliament.

We talk about citizens all the time.

Is Yamaguchi special because he’s friends with Abe?

The Abe biography by Yamaguchi was published just two weeks before the case was thrown out.

If Yamaguchi was arrested, Abe couldn’t have allowed it to be published.

[chatting]

I’d like to film today’s meeting.

[Shiori]

Oh, I can’t be on camera.

[Kanehira]

[overlapping chat]

Let me introduce myself, I'm Kanehira.

I’ve been working for 40 years in the TBS newsroom.

Yamaguchi is my junior co-worker.

I feel responsible for raising these types of men.

I want to apologize for that first.

Your press conference was very impactful.

So why did all the TV networks aside from one ignore it?

And also, the papers barely reported it.

I thought that was bizarre.

I thought everyone would jump on covering a scandal of this scale.

But it didn’t happen.

Nakamura, Head of Tokyo Police, issued a statement after your press conference.

He emphasized that he personally stopped the arrest due to insufficient evidence.

I'm planning to go interview him this month.

- Interview Nakamura? - I'll catch him off guard.

- What a sight that will be. - How shocking.

I can’t believe it.

Wow…

Something we could never imagine doing.

[Journalist 2]

The main subject of the story directly interviewing the key person…

[Kanehira]

That'd be my absolute last resort.

[traffic]

Good morning.

[Shiori]

When does he usually leave?

The other day it was 7:45.

7:45.

[Shiori]

Yamaguchi’s rape case…

[Shiori]

About the arrest warrant, which you halted…

Why did you stop the investigation?

If you first heard about the case that day, did you have time to properly examine it?

[all laughing]

They’re wondering what's going on.

[Shiori laughing]

Hello? He left?

[Tanaka]

This way?

[Woman]

Around the corner?

[Woman]

- Where is he? - He should be coming out.

What's he wearing?

[Man 1]

That's him.

[Man 2]

Excuse me.

[Shiori]

[dog barking]

He knew about us and escaped.

He knew.

As I ran, I regretted not eating breakfast.

Incredible dash.

I thought he would slow down if I got close, but he accelerated.

At least you knocked.

I wish I got even one word.

I should've worn sneakers.

[traffic]

[Shiori] What?

That looks like the van we saw.

[Female friend] Really?

[phone calling]

Hello, I have a question.

Do you sell wiretap detectors?

Wiretap detectors… Let me check.

[Store clerk]

I feel like I just say it so casually.

"Do you have wiretap detector?"

He's like, "Okay, let me check."

[wait music playing]

Show me.

[beeping]

[beeping]

Everything is beeping.

[beeping]

[beeping]

[Shiori] Is it my radio mic, maybe?

[beeping]

[beeping]

[Shiori laughing] I'm the one. Hello.

Let's try again.

Hang on.

[beeping]

[drilling]

That scared me.

[Shiori]

Are you okay?

[Female friend]

It's still working.

I don’t know.

When we have important things to say, let’s talk in the bathroom.

[Shiori]

[typing]

The phrase “rape is murder of the soul”…

[Shiori]

Here.

Let’s remove it from this part.

Save it for the end.

[phone ringing]

Hello?

Hi, it’s your lawyer, Nishihiro.

[Nishihiro]

- Can you talk now? - Yes.

Your criminal case will not be re-opened.

I see, okay.

That’s the ruling from the Prosecution Review Board.

[Nishihiro]

Can I hand you over to my lawyer?

The Japan Times is asking if this is the end of the criminal case.

Yes, it is.

[Male lawyer] Yes.

Okay, thank you.

[Shiori] Thank you.

So, Yamaguchi has released a very long statement to the press.

“Any media who writes like I am a criminal, I will take legal action.”

He means not just for past articles, but anything going forward.

It’s clearly a threat.

Bring it on.

[phone calling]

Hello, Mom?

Shiori, it's been a while.

It has been.

Um…

The results came in today from the Prosecution Review Board.

Really? And?

Non-prosecutable.

What? Non-prosecutable?

So he won't be prosecuted?

No, he won't.

Are you kidding? How can that be?

[Mother]

I just wanted to let you know.

I see.

[Mother]

How frustrating.

Really?

Of course.

[Mother]

He should be arrested.

[soft music]

Today’s Shiori News!

Thank you for watching.

The rat rode on the ox’s back, then it jumped off.

Rat came first, ox second.

That’s why they say the cat chases the rat.

Shiori!

[Shiori's Father]

Mom is 33 this year.

No, 23! Ten years younger!

[static noise]

[traffic]

My publisher just sent it to me.

My family doesn't know

that this would come out in 13 days.

I couldn't deal with them saying no

because I knew this has to happen

but I'm putting them in danger.

I still remember

what my dad told me.

They knew…

I was telling them I'm gonna do the press conference

and they're like,

"I know that you're not here to discuss with us."

"You decided and you're just telling us

that you're gonna do but we wanna stop this."

And my dad said, "You know, as a father,

I want my daughter to have a normal, happy life.

Meet someone, married, have a child.

Hope you can live close to us."

I know I can do it anywhere

and for me,

being silenced wasn't an option to be happy.

But if this takes away the opportunity

to be close to them…

The funny thing is I even wrote my will saying,

I know my condition wasn't good

right after the press conference

but I'm never gonna commit suicide

and if something happened to me,

and it seems like I committed suicide,

please investigate.

Because that's not who I am now

and if that happened

please promise me to publish the book

and publish this documentary.

I wrote this last Saturday.

Just thinking I want to go see the nature

and I couldn't,

I was so scared going by myself.

[distant street noises]

Can you hear me?

[Investigator A]

I was attending a party, that’s why I couldn’t talk earlier.

I’m sorry for the trouble, but I need to tell you something.

Is it okay if I’m drunk?

[Investigator A]

What I’m about to say might sober you up.

Oh really?

Well, to tell you the truth…

I’m writing a book.

Please don’t use my name.

I won’t use your name.

You can’t.

I just wanted to let you know.

I think it’s a good idea.

Because you’re a journalist, it’s important to keep a record.

Thank you. Your unexpected answer made me laugh.

Only you, who stood up against this reality, understands what it’s like.

The public doesn’t understand.

But my job is to get it out there.

Right, as a journalist.

[Investigator A]

I kept asking myself, “what can I do?”

I joked about you financially supporting me.

But it shouldn’t be about that.

Is there anything I can do?

If I’m being honest…

I want you to speak out.

Well…

If you marry me, I will.

That would be the way, of course.

But we are headed in the same direction.

As long as I work for the police, I can't take the stand in your civil case.

I’ll ask you for your support when I think of a way you can help.

- Sure. - Thank you.

Are you okay, staying healthy?

I’m surviving.

- Are you eating well? - I am, thank you.

- Let me treat you to a meal. - Thank you, maybe.

What do you like to eat?

Do you like ramen?

I love ramen.

Then let’s eat ramen together sometime.

Maybe when things settle, thank you.

Sorry.

Hang in there, and don’t forget to eat.

Thank you.

- Sorry for being a drunkard. - Not at all.

Thank you, goodbye.

Bye.

[Investigator A]

Will we make it?

Well, the schedule is a killer. The printing company is frenzied.

Why could we move so quickly?

The reason?

The election is happening.

A chance for a big transformation in politics.

The book should be part of voters’ decision-making.

You’re the person of the moment who can bring about change.

In the past victims, women, did not have the power to come forward.

I hope we’ll make it to the bookstores.

That’s right.

[Publisher]

We received a call…

I received a call from my lawyer.

And he was saying

that the Tokyo mayor wanted me to join her new party

and run for the next snap election.

And

people are saying that if this…

After this election if things go on Abe's side,

there's no guarantee for my life.

Which is bullshit, but…

Can I say that? Which is really bad.

[cheers]

Good evening.

[Abe]

I’m Shinzo Abe of the Liberal Democratic Party.

We will create a Japan where people can dream of the future!

[Shiori] Tomorrow it's gonna be the election.

My publisher thought it would be better

if I would stay somewhere away from media

and where it's a bit more secure.

The election is tomorrow.

That's that.

And we're all gonna see the result and that's that.

And I'm not part of it.

I'm just a journalist

who experienced it and period.

I don't know what people are expecting me to do and say.

I'm not an activist, I'm not a figure,

I'm not propaganda for anything.

I'm so tired all of the sudden.

[Hanna] Maybe it's all the pressure.

I don't feel pressure

and I don't need this pressure.

Really. It's not my…

It's not my… Yeah. It's not my…

The Prime Minister’s party is heading for a landslide victory.

[TV reporter]

[chanting on TV]

[sombre music]

There are four rows of books near the entrance.

It looks like people have been taking them.

I saw one guy reading it, standing there.

But he just put it down, so.

I should have said something, telling him,

"I read that book and it's good.

I read it like four times already and it's good."

And the thing is,

because this famous producer from Hollywood

many women came forward

to talk about what he has done to them,

there's a hashtag called MeToo.

And I feel like, yeah, everywhere in the world,

people start speaking up and talking about it.

It's just amazing, I'm very excited.

I don't know her name.

It's just there's an email address.

"I was thinking for a while,

but now you're publishing a book

so I really want to tell you."

"I was so ashamed that we are the same gender."

"Do you think you had done nothing wrong?"

"I have been raised very strictly,

that I can avoid these things."

"Even though whatever you are saying is the truth,

I feel so bad for the man you are accusing."

"Shame on you."

Yeah…

The whole world is moving forward with the #MeToo movement,

but Japan is going backward on sexual violence.

Media worldwide are reporting with suspicion about this case.

Cover-ups are not allowed.

This investigation is full of black boxes.

Prime Minister Abe, did you know about this investigation?

- Public Safety Chairman Okonogi. - No, he is not registered!

I am asking the Prime Minister. This is an obstruction.

Let me respond.

I’m asking the Prime Minister, not you.

If Abe isn’t answering, there’s no point.

Prime Minister Abe.

Representative Yunoki, use your common sense.

As Prime Minister, I don’t comment on what I know or don't know about individual cases.

But there's no way that I knew this case’s outcome.

Journalist Yamaguchi raped Shiori Ito…

[Female protestor]

In Yamaguchi’s book, he mentions his relationship with Prime Minister Abe.

They go golfing, hiking, and have been friends for over 16 years.

Hello, nice to meet you.

[Shiori]

My name is Shiori Ito.

You're famous!

- I heard you say my name. - It’s you.

- I just happened to walk by. - Can I get a photo?

You're Shiori!

I'm following your case online.

I see.

We support you!

Thank you.

Good luck!

Thank you, goodbye.

Seeing her up close, she’s not what I had imagined from the photos.

That wasn't the Shiori who was raped, was it?

It was.

That was her? Really?

I had no idea.

She’s all over the Internet.

Shiori? Did she leave?

Why didn't you tell me it was the girl who was raped?

[sombre music]

[Shiori sighs]

It just makes me think it's been 6 months.

Since I became "this girl who was raped"

to the public.

[rhythmic music]

Thank you for having me.

Let’s start today's event.

[MC]

Shiori's case shows how hard it is to discuss sexual violence,

even just raising your voice when something is wrong.

Japanese society needs to change.

Change the norm of receiving negative comments about #MeToo.

I teach journalism theory.

The first thing I teach is that journalism is about monitoring power.

However, our journalism has not been monitoring the power that men hold.

I have avoided wearing skirts to work.

Hiding my feminine side, so that people don't notice me.

But in recent years, I’ve felt this is not right.

Society will not change unless both women and men change.

All of us here working in media can relate.

Something similar to Shiori happened to me in my twenties.

I felt I could no longer work as a journalist if I came forward.

So I kept quiet.

But when I read Shiori's book,

I regretted my lack of consideration for the next generation.

I am ashamed.

Sorry, I've lost my voice. Thank you all for sharing.

Every time I speak, I feel…

like I’m standing naked.

But today…

I feel like I'm being covered by blankets.

I'm sorry.

It's the first time feeling this way.

So many blankets that I can't move.

To be here with my seniors in the industry.

To know that you feel the same way as I do.

I received a lot of hope today.

Thank you, Shiori.

[MC]

[radio jingle]

Japan's judicial system is so terrible even the United Nations says it must change.

[Male voice on the radio]

Shiori’s criminal case was dropped.

In response, she’s now pursuing a civil case.

This will be a long battle, and she will continue to be a target.

I just got an email

from the New York Times Tokyo bureau chief.

Um…

She finally published my story.

I met her about half a year ago.

And yeah,

they've been waiting for the chance

to publish their story

and they thought this is the time so they just did.

So far,

they have been the only media

which succeeded to talk to Mr. Yamaguchi.

She told me that over the phone

about two weeks ago.

And I was just reading the article.

And suddenly, I could see his forehead

as I was scrolling down the article.

I got panic attack.

Just the latest photo of him makes me feel this way.

I don't know what I was thinking,

to be in a court

thinking I might see him in front of my eyes.

[chatting]

We have to review claims made by the other side.

Which parts are true or false.

They’ve written in detail their version of the truth.

We have to check everything, paragraph by paragraph.

The headlines will be “complete rebuttal by the accused”.

We have to combat against that by preparing our core argument.

Otherwise, we’ll look weak.

[panting]

What I realized was that I…

The only motivation of talking about this,

being alive, doing this

is the way for me to be a journalist,

to look this, what happened to me,

as a sort of third person.

And when I became this person,

I didn't think I could stand this any more.

I realized how…

How I haven't been faced to myself.

[train accelerating]

[Shiori] I wanna meet the person from Ministry of Justice.

Yeah.

[women speaking]

[soft music]

[chatting]

[Shiori] It's not just about sexual violence.

It's about problem of power,

of misusing the power.

It's all of us, who could be victim,

perpetrator, or observer.

[Woman] You know the story about the Qiangdong CEO.

She said all her friends didn't want to push her

because it's too much for her.

- Yeah. - Yeah.

I’m sure you’re all angry about Yamaguchi's countersuit.

Today, we formalize “Open the Black Box” to support Shiori’s civil court case.

Let’s all unite behind her.

[applause]

I’m sorry, my mind is blank.

Um…

I actually didn’t know if I could be here today.

A week or two ago, my body couldn’t move for two days.

The incident happened four years ago around this time.

I realized I hadn’t seen cherry blossoms in four years.

I'd been away from Japan, so I asked my friends to go see them.

But then I wondered, “Why am I feeling anxious?”

I realized the incident happened when they were in full bloom.

After that, I couldn’t bear to see cherry blossoms.

It made me realize that at any time, memories of the incident can be triggered.

There are many of us living with this pain.

[Shiori sniffling]

Mom, Dad…

[Shiori]

Thank you for raising me all these years.

I feel really pathetic.

But how to tolerate this pain…

I no longer know.

I’ve been blessed with many opportunities and had a happy life.

Despite that, I am sorry I can no longer live this life that was given to me.

[sirens]

My father called me today.

Tomorrow…

He’ll take a day off work to come.

I’m trying not to think how my father must be feeling about coming to court.

Don’t think about it.

I wonder how he feels.

Shiori, you’re going to read this?

The most important part is my testimony.

- Here? - Yeah.

You’re going to read this?

I’ve read it many times but they want me to read more.

You need to memorize this?

I need to know it thoroughly.

Then I'll read it.

Can we start?

[Female friend 2]

I emailed the defendant on March 25th, 2015,

asking if there were any job positions available.

As a journalist, I had hoped to work in the social issue section

but working in Washington would mean the political section.

I wanted to alleviate my concerns about that in our meeting.

Upon arrival, I was surprised to find it was a one-on-one dinner.

I felt awkward and didn't know how to process the situation.

Suddenly feeling light-headed, I went to the bathroom.

I have no memory after that.

The next thing I remember was waking up in a hotel room.

- Are you ok? - I'm okay, just a little…

[Female friend 2]

- Do you need a break? - It’s okay.

[Female friend 2]

I woke up with intense pain in my lower abdomen.

[Female friend 2]

I didn't know where I was or who was on top of me.

I tried to push him away, but he was too strong, and I panicked.

I told him I had to go to the bathroom, and he finally got off.

I ran in and locked the door.

In the mirror I saw my nipple bleeding, bruises on my arm and other body parts.

Having no memory of what happened, I was terrified.

I needed to calm down, find my clothes, and get out.

When I opened the door, he grabbed my arm and forced me onto the bed.

My face was pressed against the covers.

I couldn't breathe, and I thought I was going to die.

The defendant said, “I like you. I can’t wait to take you to Washington, you passed.”

To him, I was just a small object.

I felt powerless.

I asked, “Where’s my underwear?”

He said, “Let me keep it as a souvenir."

I felt my strength drain out, and made my body small.

When I told him to give it back,

he said, “Now you’re like a cute, helpless child” and finally gave back my underwear.

["I Will Survive" by Gloria Gaynor playing]

This won't button.

Whatever.

There’s a long line, please wait.

[Court staff]

[sombre music]

[car door slamming]

You did well.

I did.

We’re proud of you.

[Female friend 2]

We locked eyes at one point.

He was behind my lawyers.

As I stared at him, he looked at me.

You did?

His eyes said, "What do you want?" and looked away.

“I’m still here.”

I wanted him to know that.

“I’m listening to you.”

“It’s all up to you.”

So I’m glad I didn’t ask for a partition.

Even though I'll have new nightmares.

But I gained confidence by not panicking when I saw him.

You got over one hurdle.

I can handle beards now.

Beards and bald heads.

I got this email from the doorman

at Sheraton Hotel.

He remembers the night very well.

He reported it to the police,

but the hotel made him not to talk about it.

[static noise]

[rain]

He remembers a lot of details.

That's great.

Getting out of the cab…

I headed away from the entrance, trying to escape.

Also that it sounded like I was moaning aloud.

I was so intoxicated that I didn’t seem conscious.

That's crucial testimony.

I think so, too.

But my lawyer Murata is against postponing the trial.

Because there's a possibility the judges will change.

My legal opinion is that it’s not a good enough reason to postpone the trial.

I’m most concerned that the hotel will stop him testifying.

“It's necessary to wonder why he's speaking up now."

I can’t believe this, but…

"Could he be connected to Yamaguchi? We must be skeptical."

The first trial is really important. Your life is at stake.

[Publisher]

[phone calling]

- Hello? - Is this Mr. Chikuba's cellphone?

Yes.

This is Shiori Ito. Thank you for your time this morning.

Not at all.

- Are you available right now? - Yes.

I'd like to ask you something.

What you said today, it contains important new evidence.

So I would really like to submit it for the trial.

But we have to say it's testimony of the doorman who was on duty.

Saying this in court means…

Tomorrow is a public hearing, so media and others in attendance will be listening.

This might cause you trouble.

But I’m asking you because tomorrow is my only chance to inform the judges.

Do you have any concerns about what I have said?

I am willing to do anything to help you.

You can disclose my name.

Nothing compares to the suffering you've endured.

I'm not concerned about anything, go ahead and use my name.

I'm willing to testify even if my hotel interferes.

As I said earlier…

The charges for sex crimes are too lenient.

I’ve always thought it was wrong.

I never imagined I would be in this position.

I would like you to feel glad I was on duty that night.

I'm glad I was.

These crimes are treated too lightly.

- Thank you so much. Really. - Not at all.

I am so grateful for your determination.

I truly appreciate it, thank you.

- Take care, goodbye. - Goodbye.

[Doorman]

[sombre music]

With the civil trial, Shiori wanted to pry open the black box.

This black box isn’t one individual’s problem, but a societal one.

Today, the ruling will finally be handed down.

Rape is a mother’s worst nightmare.

[Shiori's Mother]

After the press conference…

Our family, including her siblings, was against the whole thing.

I’m hoping for a positive ruling, so that our family can come together again.

[cheering]

We won! We won! Thank you all!

[Supporter]

[cheering]

There she is.

[Woman]

Congratulations!

[Man]

Can you tell us how you’re feeling?

[Male reporter]

Honestly, I don’t know what I’m feeling.

But when I came out, my friend gave me a hug.

It’s one form of closure.

But winning doesn’t mean what happened goes away.

I still have to…

figure out how to face my wounds.

This is not the end.

[applause]

This is one milestone, but there’s still so much to be done.

Let’s think about these things one by one, together.

The view I see today is completely different from the one in the past.

Thank you to everyone.

[cheering]

[MC] Ladies and gentlemen,

please welcome to the stage, Mr. Yamaguchi.

[camera flashes]

You asserted very clearly

that you have done nothing illegal.

However, when you look back on the events of that night,

do you have any regret?

Are there any things

which you wish you had done differently?

Do you believe you made any mistakes

even though they may not have been

mistakes that broke the law?

Um… I'm now fighting

that I didn't commit any crime at all.

This is my first step.

But…

If I'm mentioning, besides the legal point of view,

there might be some misunderstanding

that if I say "regret,"

that some journalist might connect illegality.

But I really regret what happened.

Because she suffered a lot.

She got so many PTSD

and me too.

So, that's really unfortunate incident

and I have a lot of regrets

ethically.

But still, I have to claim

that I didn't do anything illegal.

Is that enough for you?

I will translate the main points…

[Interpreter]

[sombre music]

You lying woman!

[Woman]

Making money off someone else's unhappiness!

How dare you, acting like an idol!

["I Will Survive" by Gloria Gaynor playing]

This song again.

♪ First I was afraid, I was petrified

♪ Kept thinking I could never live

♪ Without you by my side

♪ But then I spent so many nights

What’s this?

♪ But then I spent so many nights

♪ Thinking how you did me wrong

♪ And I grew strong

♪ I learned how to get along

♪ And so you're back

Your hair!

♪ If I'd known for just one second

♪ You'd be back to bother me. ♪

It took so long.

[Shiori]

I was 25 but now I’m 33!

It’s the end of an era.

An era?

It is!

[Kana]

You did it.

[rhythmic music]

Closed Captions: Ana Varela / SINTAGMA