By Digital Spartans 
Japan is set to screen the #MeToo documentary “Black Box Diaries” for the first time, months after the film earned an Oscar nomination for Best Documentary Feature. Directed by Shiori Ito, one of Japan’s most prominent voices in the country’s #MeToo movement, the film delves into her personal experience seeking justice after being sexually assaulted by a high-profile journalist.
Ito, who won a landmark civil case in 2019 against former TV reporter Noriyuki Yamaguchi, transformed her painful ordeal into a globally acclaimed documentary. The film has already been screened internationally, but until now, it had not been released in Japan due to legal concerns over footage and audio recordings used in the film.
According to Toei Advertising, “Black Box Diaries” will finally premiere at a cinema in Tokyo this December, marking a significant moment for both the filmmaker and Japan’s ongoing discussion on sexual violence. It remains uncertain if other theatres across the country will follow suit.
In an official statement, the publicist said the Japanese version of the film has undergone revisions and adjustments based on “feedback received from the parties involved.” This decision followed concerns raised by Ito’s former legal team, who objected to the use of certain covertly recorded audio and video, as well as CCTV footage originally meant for court proceedings.
Lawyer Yoko Nishihiro, who represented Ito for over eight years, expressed disappointment upon learning that a secretly recorded phone call had been featured in the documentary. She stated that while she supports Ito’s advocacy, she was “completely shattered” to see private material included without consent.
Ito later issued an apology, clarifying that the intention of the film was not to harm but to spark meaningful dialogue about sexual assault, justice, and women’s rights in Japan. “I hope this film helps protect the next person and moves society little by little,” she shared in a statement.
Despite the global reach of the #MeToo movement, Japan has witnessed relatively few public allegations of sexual assault. Ito’s case has been among the rare exceptions, shedding light on the cultural and institutional barriers survivors face. She revealed that her alleged attacker, Yamaguchi — a journalist with ties to former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe — was initially set to be arrested, but police withdrew the order under alleged pressure from higher authorities.
Ito ultimately won $30,000 in damages in 2019, and her courage in pursuing the case contributed to the reform of Japan’s rape laws, expanding the definition of sexual assault and increasing penalties for offenders.
With its Japanese release now confirmed, Black Box Diaries stands not only as a deeply personal account of resilience but also as a bold step toward opening much-needed conversations about consent, justice, and gender equality in Japan.