A Japanese Journalist Investigates Her Own Sexual Assault in 'Black Box Diaries' - All Of It with Alison Stewart

Summary8 min read

Podcast Summary: "A Japanese Journalist Investigates Her Own Sexual Assault in 'Black Box Diaries'"

Podcast Information:

Title: All Of It
Host/Author: WNYC
Episode Title: A Japanese Journalist Investigates Her Own Sexual Assault in 'Black Box Diaries'
Release Date: January 13, 2025
Host: Alison Stewart

Introduction

In this poignant episode of All Of It, hosted by Alison Stewart, listeners are introduced to Shiori Ito, a Japanese journalist who courageously investigates her own case of sexual assault. The episode delves deep into Shiori's personal journey, the societal and legal challenges she faced in Japan, and the creation of her documentary film, "Black Box Diaries," which chronicles her struggles and quest for truth.

Shiori Ito's Assault and Initial Response

[00:34 – 02:39]
Alison Stewart begins by outlining Shiori Ito's harrowing experience. Shiori, a young journalist in Japan, attended what she believed was a professional business meeting with a powerful television journalist. Instead, the encounter devolved into a one-on-one dinner that led to her being incapacitated and allegedly raped.

Shiori Ito: "On video? Well, first two years it was just protection. Reason I didn't believe the police was doing their job. It was possible cover up and so I started documenting what was happening around me."
[02:45]

Shiori initially turned to self-documentation as a means of protection and due to a lack of trust in the Japanese justice system. Her attempts to seek justice were thwarted, compelling her to take matters into her own hands by filming her journey with the support of friends.

Coping Mechanisms and Survival

[03:18 – 05:00]
When Alison inquires about Shiori's self-care during this tumultuous period, Shiori reveals her coping strategies.

Shiori Ito: "Documenting, filming what is happening in front of me was rather easier because I was treating this case as it's happening to someone else. That was my coping mechanism, I guess my survival method to act as a journalist and filmmaker."
[03:26]

Shiori compartmentalized her trauma by distancing herself emotionally, allowing her to continue her work as a journalist without being overwhelmed by her own victimization. However, revisiting the footage during editing proved emotionally challenging.

Cultural Barriers and Language Limitations

[05:00 – 06:12]
The conversation shifts to the cultural and linguistic barriers Shiori faced.

Shiori Ito: "Growing up as a Japanese woman in Japan, I never knew how to say no. Our no is taking us yes. Sometimes it's complicated. Language, culture."
[05:12]

Shiori discusses how deep-seated cultural norms in Japan make it difficult for women to assert consent, often rendering their "no" ineffective. This cultural backdrop significantly impacted her ability to resist and communicate during the assault.

Acquiring Evidence and Legal Challenges

[06:12 – 07:57]
Shiori elaborates on the difficulties in obtaining crucial evidence for her case.

Shiori Ito: "It was really complicated relationship around there and who you want to protect and so on. But in the end of the day, yeah, we managed to get it."
[06:28]

The process of securing hotel footage that captured the assault was fraught with challenges, primarily due to the perpetrator's influential status. Despite these obstacles, Shiori and her team persisted, eventually obtaining the necessary evidence to bolster her case.

Societal Reactions and Personal Impact

[07:57 – 10:11]
The episode delves into the societal backlash Shiori faced after going public with her accusation.

Shiori Ito: "Some people who witnessed what was happening came forward, but they had to risk their job in life and that was really hard for them to also stand up against the power."
[08:01]

While a few brave individuals supported Shiori by coming forward as witnesses, the majority remained silent due to fear of retaliation and societal stigma. This environment of silence underscored the pervasive challenges in addressing sexual violence in Japan.

Legal Framework and Its Limitations

[09:16 – 11:02]
Shiori provides an overview of Japan's antiquated legal definitions surrounding consent and sexual assault.

Shiori Ito: "Our age of consent used to be 13 years old. Like think about that. What did you know about consent when you're 13?"
[09:27]

She highlights significant legal reforms, such as raising the age of consent from 13 to 16 years old in 2023 and allowing men to report rape for the first time. However, the definitions and requirements for proving rape remain stringent, making legal recourse challenging for survivors.

Motivations for Going Public

[10:11 – 11:23]
Alison probes into Shiori's motivations for making her case public.

Shiori Ito: "I was starting my career as a journalist and I felt like if I cannot seek the truth, what happened to me I shouldn't be a journalist, which was my dream."
[10:13]

Shiori's dedication to journalistic integrity and her desire to prevent future generations from enduring similar trauma propelled her to publicly accuse the perpetrator and document her story.

The Perpetrator's Influence and Societal Taboos

[11:23 – 12:40]
Shiori discusses the influence of the accused, a close friend of then-Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, and the cultural taboos surrounding sexual violence in Japan.

Shiori Ito: "Just talking about sexual violence in Japan is such a taboo topic."
[11:47]

The perpetrator's powerful connections complicated Shiori's pursuit of justice, as societal norms discourage open discussions about sexual violence, further marginalizing victims.

Public Backlash and Personal Struggles

[12:40 – 15:26]
The episode explores the mixed public reactions Shiori received, including both support and victim-blaming.

Shiori Ito: "When I published my book, it was exactly same time when MeToo happened in here and thinking, wow, it's all about solidarity here and it wasn't the case back home in Japan."
[14:17]

While the global MeToo movement provided a supportive backdrop, Japanese society's patriarchal and hierarchical structures led to significant backlash against Shiori, including accusations of being a troublemaker and reinforcing systemic inequalities.

Filmmaking Decisions and Ethical Dilemmas

[15:54 – 17:20]
Shiori shares her internal conflict over potentially interviewing the perpetrator for her documentary.

Shiori Ito: "I as a journalist I felt like he also maybe needs to say something and I felt so somehow not fair about telling my own one sided story."
[15:55]

Despite her instinct to seek a balanced narrative, her filmmaking team advised against it, emphasizing the documentary's focus on her personal journey and the broader implications of her case.

Threats and Relocation for Safety

[17:20 – 19:41]
Shiori recounts the threats she received and her decision to leave Japan for her safety.

Shiori Ito: "I had to move away from Japan once to London to make this film and write the book."
[18:29]

Facing severe online threats and physical intimidation, Shiori relocated to London to continue her work in a safer environment, illustrating the personal costs of challenging entrenched power structures.

Emotional Vulnerability and Filmmaking Moments

[19:41 – 21:31]
A particularly emotional moment in the documentary is discussed, where Shiori contemplates suicide, offering a raw glimpse into her mental state during her ordeal.

Shiori Ito: "It was my way of, I guess surviving. So when I saw that piece of footage, I thought, okay, it has to be in a film."
[20:08]

Including this footage was a deliberate and challenging decision, intended to underscore the depth of her suffering and the resilience required to tell her story.

Support Systems and Community

[21:31 – 22:42]
Shiori acknowledges the critical support she received from friends and collaborators, which was instrumental in her survival and the completion of her documentary.

Shiori Ito: "Having that sort of, you know, borderless support helped me. Because when you think you can't live anymore in that particular society, it's opening the door when you know you can maybe escape somewhere else."
[21:38]

This network of support not only provided emotional and physical safety but also facilitated the creation and dissemination of her film.

Current Endeavors and Future Aspirations

[22:31 – 22:42]
Shiori expresses her hopes to continue working as a journalist and filmmaker.

Shiori Ito: "I want to make more film. That's for sure too."
[22:36]

Her unwavering commitment to storytelling and advocacy underscores her role as a catalyst for societal change.

Addressing Criticism and Naming the Perpetrator

[22:43 – 23:22]
Alison raises a concern from a listener regarding the naming of the perpetrator, leading to a significant moment of empowerment for Shiori.

Shiori Ito: "No, I feel that. But you know what? That gave me empower that I should be able to have no feeling to name it."
[23:22]

Shiori decides to name the accused, Nori Yuki Yamaguchi, asserting her agency and challenging societal norms that often silence victims.

Global Reception and Universal Relevance

[23:22 – 24:01]
Shiori shares the international response to her documentary, highlighting its universal resonance and the shared experiences of survivors worldwide.

Shiori Ito: "No matter where there is a better law to protect Survivor. I see every single audience eyes that they are carrying something similar or they know someone they love."
[23:26]

The film's screenings across over 30 countries have fostered connections among survivors, reinforcing the global nature of the struggle against sexual violence.

Conclusion

Alison Stewart wraps up the episode by reiterating the importance of Shiori Ito's work and the availability of "Black Box Diaries" on Paramount Plus. Listeners are reminded of the ongoing need for support and solidarity in addressing sexual assault and advocating for systemic change.

Alison Stewart: "This is very interesting."
[22:43]

Notable Quotes:

Shiori Ito on Documentation as Protection:

"Reason I didn't believe the police was doing their job. It was possible cover up and so I started documenting what was happening around me."
[02:45]
On Cultural Barriers:

"Growing up as a Japanese woman in Japan, I never knew how to say no. Our no is taking us yes."
[05:12]
On Legal Challenges:

"Our age of consent used to be 13 years old. Like think about that. What did you know about consent when you're 13?"
[09:27]
On Facing Backlash:

"When I published my book, it was exactly same time when MeToo happened in here and thinking, wow, it's all about solidarity here and it wasn't the case back home in Japan."
[14:17]
On Empowerment:

"That gave me empower that I should be able to have no feeling to name it."
[23:22]

Final Thoughts:

This episode of All Of It offers a compelling and intimate look into Shiori Ito's struggle against sexual violence and systemic injustice in Japan. Her story not only sheds light on personal trauma but also highlights broader cultural and legal issues that affect countless individuals. "Black Box Diaries" stands as a testament to her resilience and determination to foster change, making this episode a vital listen for those interested in culture, justice, and the power of storytelling.

Loading summary

Transcript71 lines

[00:00]
Carnegie Hall Announcer
WNYC Studios is supported by Carnegie hall presenting the Philadelphia Orchestra led by Yannick Nezes again in a program of Mahler's 9th Symphony and Songs for murdered sisters written in collaboration with Jake Heggie and Margaret Atwood. January 15th. Tickets@carnegiehall.org.
[00:22]
WNYC Announcer
Listener supported WNYC Studios.
[00:34]
Alison Stewart
This is all of it on WNYC. I'm Alison Stewart. We have some great conversations coming up on the show this week. Tomorrow we'll learn about the rise and fall of the NFT market. There's a new documentary called Minted. It's really good. On Wednesday, comedian Gary Goldman will be here to talk about his new show, Grand Eloquent, which is at the Lucille Lortel Theater. And on Thursday, actor Jesse Eisenberg, actor and director, director. By the way, he'll be in studio to talk about his new movie, A Real Pain that is in the future. Now let's get this started with Black Box Diaries. Listeners, we want to let you know that this conversation will deal with sexual assault. If at any time you feel you need support, please call the National Sexual Assault Hotline. That number is 1-800-656-4673. It's open 24 hours a day. When Shiro Ito was a young journalist starting out in Japan, she took what she thought would be a business meeting with a powerful television journalist. When she arrived, she was surprised to find it was a one on one dinner. As the night progressed, an incapacitated Shiori was brought unwillingly to a hotel and she alleges that the man raped her. When Shiori's case stalled in the Japanese justice system, she decided to go public with her accusation. Her case caused a media firestorm in Japan because he was a close friend of then Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. The frenzy intensified after Shiori wrote a memoir titled Black Box. Some saw Shiori as an icon of Japan's MeToo movement. Others thought she was just trying to take down a powerful man. Not to mention, the law was antiquated, written more than 100 years ago. Throughout this experience, Shiori began filming herself. She also began investigating her own case. The result is in the new documentary Black Box Diaries, which is available to stream now on Paramount. I'm joined now in studio by the film's director and subject, Shiori Ito. Nice to meet you.
[02:40]
Shiori Ito
You too. Thank you for having me.
[02:41]
Alison Stewart
When did you decide to start to document yourself on video?
[02:45]
Shiori Ito
On video? Well, first two years it was just protection. Reason I didn't believe the police was doing their job. It was possible cover up and so I started documenting what was happening around me. And when I went public, hoping other journalists to. To be able to reach out these higher up people to ask questions, but it didn't happen in Japan. It was still quite difficult case to cover. So I decided to keep covering and start, yeah, filming all the journey with my friends.
[03:18]
Alison Stewart
How did you take care of yourself.
[03:20]
Interviewer
During the course of making this film? Because I wondered about you throughout the entire episode.
[03:26]
Shiori Ito
It's been quite a roller coaster, you know, for me, documenting, filming what is happening in front of me was rather easier because I was treating this case as it's happening to someone else. That was my coping mechanism, I guess my survival method to act as a journalist and filmmaker. But it was quite hard when I went into the editing room to revisit the things, I didn't even remember some part of it and wish not to remember. We had over 400 hours of footage over eight years. So it was a challenge to face that. So I would say that was the most difficult part. But my film teammate was the one who was supporting me, who had really passion and believing in storytelling. So that's. I think I survived it through.
[04:25]
Alison Stewart
You were able to be a journalist because you saw you as a sub. Like I'm me. And there's this other subject who happens to be me as well.
[04:33]
Shiori Ito
Yeah. Because you know what? It's hard to be the person to remember you're the victim to talk about it over and over. So, you know, people tell me how brave you know you are and so on, but I don't think so. I was in a way escaping from that because for me that was survival. So I think for some people, being silenced is survival. And for me, seeking for the truth and asking questions with survival.
[05:01]
Alison Stewart
You switch between English and Japanese in the film and you told the New York Times that sometimes you found it easier to communicate your emotions in English than in Japanese. Why is that?
[05:13]
Shiori Ito
It's just something I realized in Japanese growing up as a Japanese woman in Japan, I never knew how to say no. Our no is taking us yes. Sometimes it's complicated. Language, culture. Yeah, right. And I'm speaking as a woman. We don't have words to command or to tell someone what something to stop. Yes, exactly. So when even I was assaulted, when the man was top of me, I could say please stop in Japanese. And I had to switch my mind and say it in English because it didn't stop in Japanese. So I guess the language has been limiting me as a woman. And that's something I guess discovered. And it Was much easier for me to describe what is going on and talk about some emotions in English.
[06:13]
Interviewer
It's very clear that you were at the hotel. You didn't want to be at the hotel. You were dragged out of the cab by this man. There were people around who saw you.
[06:22]
Alison Stewart
Dragged out of the cab.
[06:24]
Interviewer
First of all, how are you able to get that footage for the film?
[06:28]
Shiori Ito
It was a long process. We got it because we were. We need it for court case. But to make sure the hotel keep the footage was, yeah, some challenge because for them the man who assaulted me was the customer. So it was really complicated relationship around there and who you want to protect and so on. But in the end of the day, yeah, we were. We managed to get it. We had to pay some amount of money for them to blow some people.
[07:02]
Interviewer
Did you watch that with your colleagues all at once? Watch it by yourself? Did you watch it alone, that footage the first time?
[07:10]
Shiori Ito
First time I begged to the police person for them to check if they still have it. Well, when I went to police for the first time, they said, you know what, these things happens a lot and we can't take the case. But I begged them that. But you know what, I know which hotel I came out from and can you at least check? And so maybe after a week or five days later, the assault happened. We went into the hotel and we found a hotel. So I watched it with one investigator and it was a real experience. I didn't remember I was intoxicated and so I have no memory of being drugged, but I was drugged and I looked like a doll and didn't. Couldn't believe that was me.
[07:58]
Interviewer
There were others in the footage who saw you. Did they come forward?
[08:02]
Shiori Ito
Yes. In the end of the day, yeah, towards the end of the case was closing. Very brave. Few person who was. Who witnessed what was happening came forward, but they had to risk their job in life and that was really hard for them to also stand up against the power. And we have to remember that sexual violence always comes with some, you know, power, corruption. And it's really hard for people around whoever can witness to come forward too. So I'm really. I was lucky in a way that I had some people who decided to come forward in the end.
[08:45]
Alison Stewart
I speak with Shira Ito, director and subject of the new documentary Black Box Diaries. You can scream it now on Paramount Plus. Again, if you need support, please call the national sexual Assault Hotline, 800-656-4673. One thing you learn in the documentary is I'm just going to say the laws in Japan seem antiquated. They were written many 110 years ago when women.
[09:16]
Shiori Ito
Yeah. Didn't even have a voting rights. So.
[09:19]
Alison Stewart
Yes, yes. Would you explain to people the kinds of things the law says like about consent?
[09:28]
Interviewer
Right.
[09:28]
Shiori Ito
So. Well, the good news is there were some updates. Yes, there were updates right after I went public. So now men can report the rape. It was only for women. And finally our age of consent used to be 13 years old. Like think about that. What did you know about consent when you're 13? That was updated 2000 in 2023 to 16 years old. But still definition of rape is down to how much victim can prove, how much she or he's been threatened or violated severely. So it's still difficult to report.
[10:12]
Alison Stewart
Why did you decide to go public.
[10:14]
Shiori Ito
With the story as a journalist? You know, I was starting my career as a journalist and I felt like if I cannot seek the truth, what happened to me I shouldn't be a journalist, which was my dream. And I knew if I keep the writ on what happened to me, it would twist me from inside. So purely it was survival. Survival reason. But also, you know, growing up in Japan, being groped on public transport when we were in school and so on, it was everyday life. So thinking this would be my life, rest of my life in my career to be assaulted or to be looked down in this way, I couldn't think of that for next generation. For my little sister too. And I had to do something about it.
[11:03]
Alison Stewart
So you thought you were going to a one on one business meeting with this man? You can say his name if you like to. I don't want to, but you're welcome to. I just wanted to say that. But he obviously was a really powerful person. How powerful was he in the media and in Japan at the time?
[11:24]
Shiori Ito
Well, he's been written to biography of ex Prime Minister. 2. Not even 1. Who needs 2 biography. But yeah, so he was very connected, not just the Prime Minister but everyone around him. And he told me he knows some powerful people so no one will believe you. And it was, it was hard because just talking about sexual violence in Japan is such a taboo topic. All of my family went against and it always comes with stigma and actually right now I'm still getting all the pushback and I'm flying back tonight and it makes me so unconscious, you know, so afraid, like if I can stay home. And so I'm actually planning fly. I mean, yeah, move away from Japan for now. Yeah, we've been, it's been Amazing to be able to screen it here in States, but we haven't been yet screening it back home in Japan. And yeah, it's, it's hard one to talk about but you're going to have.
[12:40]
Interviewer
You have to move out of your home.
[12:42]
Shiori Ito
I think so now.
[12:43]
Interviewer
Yeah, because why.
[12:49]
Shiori Ito
I think some people are still not ready to watch it. So there are, there have been quite pushback from the powerful people and yeah, I thought it's 2025 and it's a film and it's sort of my love letter to Japan and to my sister and to people I love. And I know it's hard to look at some, some of the things that we haven't yet been stepped forward to, to, to make it better for society, but we have to do it to, to make our society feel livable. And I've been meeting so many amazing Japanese women outside of Japan through this screening of this film, telling me I've been through something similar or I don't. I can't think about walking in, in Japan now because it's really hard as a woman being able to. Not being able to talk about this issue or being always threatened by this assault. So it's really sad to think of it.
[13:51]
Interviewer
Yeah, it's difficult because some women were really supportive of you and then some women blamed you. They victim blamed you. Were you surprised when you got that email that you share when some of the women yelled at you as you went downstairs at the courthouse, people who saw you as the problem?
[14:18]
Shiori Ito
It was, it was surprise. I, it was, it was shocking. But I. That was something I could also imagine because I've covered about sexual assault cases before as a journalist and I see the pushback and how society reacts towards to that. So. But when I went, when I published my book, it was exactly same time when MeToo happened in here and thinking, wow, it's all about solidarity here and it wasn't the case back home in Japan. So that was really hard to understand. But I think it's because when you live in a society, when you have to survive in a society where it's very patriarchal, hierarchy, systematic, you know, way of living, it's hard to get out from the system when you were told you have to be certain way. So I'm sure some of the women who yell at me or, you know, been coming after me felt unfair because they've been silenced. They had to live in that way. They have to embed it with the society and why am I talking about it?
[15:27]
Alison Stewart
You know, I speak with Shiori Ito, director and subject of the new documentary Black Box Diaries. It's about Shiori's journey after publicly accusing a powerful man of sexual assault. You can stream it now now on Paramount plus. All right, I'm going to ask you to put on your journalist hat. You sat down, you have this big story you're going to cover. Who did you decide you wanted to interview? Who did you decide for this film that you definitely wanted to interview?
[15:54]
Shiori Ito
For my film?
[15:55]
Alison Stewart
Yes. Who did you like make the list? You know, you make a list. I want to interview this person, I want to interview that person.
[16:00]
Shiori Ito
Well, I had many lists but actually as a journalist I felt like I need to interview myself offender, the perpetrator Yamaguchi. So I was. Because I as a journalist I felt like he also maybe needs to say something and I felt so somehow not fair about telling my own one sided story. But whole of my teammate, the film team said no, that's not necessary. In documentary film it is okay to tell and to investigate your own film. So it was, yeah, it took some time for me to embrace and understand it is okay in the film. But you know, wearing the journalist hat, it was hat. It was really hard to know what's the balance, what can I do as a subject.
[16:53]
Alison Stewart
There's a scene where you're talking to.
[16:56]
Interviewer
An investigator on your behalf and he starts to come on to you.
[17:03]
Alison Stewart
He says, oh well, maybe you'll marry.
[17:05]
Interviewer
Me or maybe we'll have dinner. And your face is. You look very struck by it. What did you make of that conversation?
[17:20]
Shiori Ito
Actually until I looked the footage of that conversation, I didn't remember what happened. I think it was too shocking to me what he said and. But in the end of the day I think that's something we experiencing in everyday life. You trust someone, you thought this person is safe and this, this can happen to you. And I was very ashamed. I was keep thinking did I give the wrong signal or whatever. But no, it wasn't on me. But no one is perfect, you know. So he in a way did reveal some of the COVID up the police did. So I do thank him for being brave to talk about it to me. But at the same time I cannot take that action towards me like that. So we decided to put it in the film even though it was quite hard decision. Yeah.
[18:27]
Interviewer
Were you ever afraid for your life in making this film?
[18:30]
Shiori Ito
Yes, yes, I. I had to move away from Japan once to London to make this film and write the book. And one birthday a few years ago while I was making this film, my Friend gave me. It's like. It was like a tank top that it's anti stabbing because people, my friends saw all the threats online and trolls that they wanna. Some people wanna really attack me. So. And to. To receive that like to thinking, oh, do I. Is this my life? It's gonna be if I stay in Japan. That was scary. But I stopped being scared because what can I do? I don't want to live feeling fear all the time. And if they want to attack me, they. They do. But my job is to tell this story. So that's what I tried to keep telling myself, but it's not. It's hard to tell to myself all the time. But I am scared right now that I'm heading back to Tokyo, to be honest with you.
[19:41]
Alison Stewart
I'm sorry.
[19:43]
Interviewer
I'm sorry you're having that experience. You know, there's a point in the film where we. She's. You're crying, you're talking about. You don't know if you can take it anymore. And then it cuts to a hospital bill and we're kind of left to fill in. Why did you decide to include what's really a really difficult moment in the film?
[20:08]
Shiori Ito
So that particular iPhone footage, I shot it for my family. It was a video letter, but I did. I forgot about filming it. And it was my editor who discover the piece of footage from my iPhone a year after we start editing. And for me, I didn't want to put it as a subject, as a victim. I didn't want my family to see because I made it right. But then when I saw another footage like the mount you mentioned me waking up in a hospital from the bed I was start filming already it told, it said a lot. I was. I couldn't take it anymore. But then I wanted survive to tell this story. I mean, who would do that? You know, you try to take your own life away and you start like filming. I thought I'm losing it. But then it was my way of, I guess surviving. So when I saw that piece of footage, I thought, okay, it has to be in a film. And that decision was coming from as a director. But it was hard one to put in. And because we haven't been able to screen it back home, my family hasn't seen it. So hopefully they will see with some support.
[21:32]
Interviewer
You've had really good support from your friends.
[21:35]
Alison Stewart
How did your friends help you through this period?
[21:38]
Shiori Ito
When I felt unsafe staying at my apartment, my best friend immediately took me to her house and gave me the safe house. And actually how we made this film was throughout the friendship. My producer Hannah, she was the one who just called me out of nowhere through Skype, who was living in London and said, you know what? Why don't you move here and just be safe here and think about what you can do? And that's how we started to work together. I don't think if that didn't happen, I didn't know how to survive back home in Japan alone. So having that sort of, you know, borderless support helped me. Because when you think you can't live anymore in that particular society, it's opening the door when you know you can maybe escape somewhere else.
[22:31]
Alison Stewart
Are you able to work as a journalist now?
[22:37]
Shiori Ito
I hope so, yes. I want to. I want to make more film. That's for sure too.
[22:43]
Alison Stewart
This is very interesting.
[22:44]
Interviewer
Somebody sent a text to me during this conversation that says it's disappointing that.
[22:49]
Alison Stewart
I won't say the alleged perpetrator's name.
[22:51]
Interviewer
On the radio, creating an air of additional shame on reporting by this young woman. I was doing it out of respect for you. It's your choice whether you want to say this man's name or not. Do you want to say his name.
[23:04]
Alison Stewart
To make or do you not want to?
[23:06]
Interviewer
I wanted to leave it up to you.
[23:08]
Shiori Ito
Nori Yuki Yamaguchi Why not? Thank you.
[23:12]
Alison Stewart
Yeah, it really. I was really doing it at best. Thank you.
[23:14]
Shiori Ito
No, I feel that. But you know what? That gave me empower that I should be able to have no feeling to name it. So thank you so much for giving this opportunity.
[23:23]
Alison Stewart
What has been the response to this film?
[23:26]
Shiori Ito
Everywhere. So I go. We've been traveling for one year now to screen this film over 30 different countries. And no matter where there is a better law to protect Survivor. I see every single audience eyes that they are carrying something similar or they know someone they love. I feel it and it's really emotional moment every time I go into the theater and feel it. That how universal this experience is.
[24:01]
Alison Stewart
The name of the film is Black Box Diaries.
[24:05]
Interviewer
It's streaming now on Paramount. Shirt Ito thank you for being with us.
[24:09]
Shiori Ito
Arigato. Thank you for having.
[24:14]
Carnegie Hall Announcer
WNYC Studios is supported by Carnegie hall presenting the Philadelphia Orchestra led by Yannick Nezes again in a program of Mahler's 9th Symphony and Songs for Murdered Sisters written in collaboration with Jake Heggie and Margaret Atwood. January 15th tickets@carnegie hall.org do you have.
[24:34]
WNYC Announcer
A car, truck, boat, motorcycle or RV that is no longer of use to you? No matter what shape it's in, you can donate it to wnyc even if it's a hundred years old. Donating is easy, the pickup is free, and you'll get a tax deduction. Learn more@wnyc.org car.