TW: SA

Why so controversial? Black Box Diaries follows the journey of journalist Shiori Ito in seeking justice for her assault by another prominent journalist with powerful political ties, and shedding light on outdated assault and consent laws in Japan. 

*No victim blaming will be tolerated*

Got questions or want to share your story? Send us an email at [email protected]

Frankie - @franklinthewoman

Cheyenne - @lostwithlow

Words mentioned/useful words

花粉症 kafunsho - hay fever

転勤 tenkin - transfer (job)

公務員 koumuin - public/civil servant, government worker 

後輩 kouhai - junior (like at work or school)

先輩 senpai - superior, senior, mentor

References:

“Shiori Ito’s film to be revised after unauthorized use of media” - Asahi Shimbun - Feb 21, 2025

https://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/15636805

“Artist, retweeters ordered to pay journalist over ‘fake r***’ posts”

https://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/14492778

Time stamps

00:00 hello/花粉症 kafunsho

3:03 whole episode TW - S**ual assault

4:49 zero tolerance for victim blaming

6:43 Black Box memoir, how to watch the doc

10:25 why the doc isn’t out in Japan

15:48 brief overview of the case

16:29 the documentary - summary and commentary

41:59 the doorman

46:02 press conference

48:38 Japan’s MeToo/WeToo

49:20 manga artist sued for defamation

51:03 laws finally change after 110 years

53:30 closing thoughts