The Oscar-nominated documentary “Black Box Diaries,” directed by a Japanese filmmaker, tells the harrowing story of journalist Shiori Ito’s quest for justice after she was raped by a prominent TV reporter. Despite becoming the first documentary by a Japanese director to be nominated for an Academy Award, the film remains unseen in her home country.
The film chronicles Ito’s struggle navigating Japan’s judicial system following her public accusation against Noriyuki Yamaguchi, a biographer of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Premiering at the Sundance Film Festival in January 2024, the documentary has been released in over 30 countries, but Japan is notably absent from its distribution.
The Japanese branch of a major streaming service declined to distribute the film in early 2024, and cinemas have shown little interest in screening it. Compounding the challenges, some of Ito’s former lawyers and supporters criticized the film, claiming it used footage without obtaining consent from individuals featured in it.
This isn’t the first time Japan has delayed the release of films that gained acclaim abroad. Documentaries like “The Cove,” about dolphin hunting in Taiji, and the feature film “Unbroken,” depicting the mistreatment of Allied prisoners during World War II, faced similar hurdles. “The Cove,” directed by an American filmmaker, won the Oscar for Best Documentary in 2010.
Ito believes “Black Box Diaries” faces opposition in Japan because it sheds light on a taboo topic: how the legal system and society treat women who speak out about sexual assault. “This film isn’t just about sexual violence,” Ito said. “It’s about strength, corruption, and systemic issues. It’s bound to make many people uncomfortable.”
Ito, now 35, became a polarizing figure after going public in 2017 with her accusation against Yamaguchi, who denied the allegations. Prosecutors dropped the criminal case after two months, but Ito won a civil lawsuit against him, a decision upheld by Japan’s Supreme Court.
Her case became a symbol of Japan’s nascent #MeToo movement, though critics accused her of exploiting the situation for career advancement. “Japanese society tends to avoid discussing contentious issues,” said film director Atsushi Funahashi. “This film should serve as a catalyst to ensure no woman endures such a painful experience again.”
The intense scrutiny appears to have taken a toll on Ito. On February 20, she canceled a Tokyo press conference at the last minute, citing medical reasons. A limited screening of an edited version of the film was also called off.
A group of lawyers, including some who represented Ito in her civil case, held a press conference the same day to voice concerns about the film. They argued that “Black Box Diaries” used footage of a taxi driver, a police detective, and a lawyer without their consent. They also criticized the inclusion of security camera footage showing Ito being carried into the hotel by Yamaguchi, alleging it was used without the hotel’s permission.
“Now I must speak against someone I’ve supported for so many years,” said lawyer Yoko Nishihiro. “How unfortunate it has come to this.”
In a statement, Ito apologized for “causing harm” by not obtaining consent and announced plans to create an edited version of the film to ensure individuals cannot be identified. However, she and the producers are unwilling to remove certain scenes, including the hotel security footage, which she describes as “the only visual evidence of the sexual assault.”
Producer Eric Nyari stated that the team is negotiating a version of the film that addresses privacy concerns while preserving the integrity of Ito’s story. “There are areas where we’re open to compromise,” Nyari said, “but there are also parts we believe are essential and will not change.”
