Shiori Ito's Fight Against Japan’s Patriarchal System Captured in New Documentary

Shiori Ito, the symbol of #MeToo in Japan, is shifting focus from her past trauma and directing a documentary that addresses deep-rooted injustices in the country's legal system, while urging society to take collective responsibility.

 

Shiori Ito, age 36, a journalist and activist, has become synonymous with the #MeToo movement in Japan after bravely sharing her story of sexual assault by a prominent television correspondent nine years ago. Her courageous act led to legal battles and a civil suit victory, highlighting the systemic issues within Japan's patriarchal justice system. With the release of her documentary, “Black Box Diaries,” in the United States and Britain on Friday, Ito has voiced her frustration over continual questions regarding her future endeavors in the fight against sexual violence.

"I am tired of being asked 'What’s next for you?' I want to know what you're going to do after watching this film," Ito expressed passionately. Her defiance, which challenges traditional gender roles in Japan, has garnered her both admiration and disdain. The documentary premiered at Sundance Film Festival earlier this year, and in a reflective conversation in Fukuoka, she recounted her emotional journey — a rollercoaster from despair, feeling let down by law enforcement and media, to empowerment as she sung "I Will Survive" at the film's debut screening.

Ito's documentary offers a powerful perspective on her battle and broader implications for Japanese society, urging viewers not just to consume her story, but to act on the issues it raises, emphasizing the need for communal engagement against sexual violence.