Black Box Diaries
Directed by Ito Shiori
Official website (2024)
Available to watch for a limited time on BBC iplayer - Storyville
Review by Mayumi Donovan
Black Box Diaries is a documentary film in which journalist and filmmaker Ito Shiori seeks to expose the truth about the sexual assault she suffered in 2015 at the hands of Yamaguchi Noriyuki, a former Washington Bureau Chief for the Tokyo Broadcasting System (TBS) with close ties to then-Prime Minister Abe Shinzo. The film chronicles her struggle for justice, as the police initially refused to investigate her claim, due to a supposed lack of evidence—despite shocking CCTV footage showing Ito being dragged from a taxi and carried into a hotel. This personal and remarkable work highlights a young woman’s fight against authority and power in Japan, where sexual assault remains a taboo subject.
The film opens at the moment she decides to go public with her story. Her fear and uncertainty about the future are palpable, knowing that everything will change. Yet she has no choice but to seek a reinvestigation into Yamaguchi and tell the truth to the world. Her family strongly opposes her decision, as captured in a deeply emotional voice recording of her sister pleading with Ito not to speak out, fearing she will lose the chance to lead a normal life and have a successful career. A long, dark tunnel visually represents the challenging journey that lies ahead.
It is rare for rape victims in Japan to go public—only 4% of sexual assault survivors report the crime, with some studies suggesting the figure is as low as 1%. Despite her family’s pleas, Ito spoke out about her experience at a press conference in 2017, two years after the incident, publicly accusing Yamaguchi of sexually assaulting her. According to Ito, she had initially met him to discuss career opportunities in Washington but was drugged at a restaurant. She later woke up in a hotel room, with clear evidence that she had been raped.
The press conference shocked many and sparked mixed reactions. Ito endured vicious online abuse, with some accusing her of being a prostitute—simply because the top button of her shirt was undone. Despite the gravity of her allegations, only one television channel reported on the case, and Japanese media largely ignored it.
For UK audiences, this case may already be familiar, as it was previously featured in the 2019 BBC documentary Japan’s Secret Shame. Black Box Diaries blends footage secretly filmed by Ito on her iPhone with material from media outlets, including the BBC and NHK. Initially, Ito recorded videos and audio as evidence, suspecting that not everyone was telling the truth. As a journalist, she felt a deep responsibility to expose the facts—not just for herself, but for other victims and future generations.
Her mobile footage captures intimate, raw emotions, revealing rare moments of vulnerability and fear. The way she addresses the camera directly enhances the film’s emotional impact. Over the course of the film, the changes in her face and eyes make her exhaustion visibly apparent. The subtle yet powerful sound design, combined with abstract visuals interwoven with real footage, creates a seamless and immersive storytelling experience.
As a Japanese woman, this film was heartbreaking to watch and left me filled with anger. I have experienced firsthand how women are marginalised in Japan, where certain issues are simply not discussed. Women are expected to behave in a particular way, and those with strong opinions often face backlash. There is a Japanese proverb: “The nail that sticks out gets hammered down.” Society expects victims to behave as victims—to feel ashamed, to remain silent. It is not considered typical for a Japanese woman to stand up the way Ito did.
One scene that struck me particularly hard was of a woman shouting at Ito, blaming her for what had happened. I cannot imagine the weight Ito had to bear—not only facing attacks from men but also from other women, those whom one might expect to be on her side. Throughout the film, Ito maintains a brave face, but her most vulnerable moment comes when she attends a women’s media meeting. It is a brief yet deeply comforting moment in an otherwise difficult and painful film.
I deeply admire her courage and resilience in choosing to go public, revealing both her face and real name. When asked why she made this decision, she responded with clarity: “I have nothing to hide.” Her bravery and strength serve as an inspiration to other survivors.
I watched this film in 2024 at BFI Southbank, followed by a Q&A session with Ito Shiori. She appeared stronger, more hopeful for Japan’s future, but I do not believe this is the end of her fight. In the film, Ito references the #MeToo movement, which was gaining momentum in the US while she was seeking justice, giving her a sense of optimism. I was also moved by a group of elderly women demonstrating in the streets in support of Ito. Watching the film again recently, I couldn’t help but think about the recent case in France involving Gisèle Pelicot, a survivor of mass rape orchestrated by her husband. Her courage resonated with many women worldwide.
While there are positive movements happening globally, they are still not enough. There are still cases where power and corruption continue to silence victims of violence.
Sadly, Black Box Diaries has yet to be released in Japan, despite its nomination for the Oscar for Best Documentary Feature at the 2025 Academy Awards. Reportedly, legal issues and censorship have prevented its release, with claims that certain video and audio clips—including CCTV footage of Yamaguchi dragging Ito from a taxi, audio from a taxi driver and police investigator, and conversations with her lawyer—were used without permission. The film sheds light on critical social issues, and all Ito has ever wanted is to tell the truth and achieve justice. She has stated that the audience she most wants to reach is the Japanese public. I can only hope that the film is eventually released in Japan, igniting the crucial discussions needed to challenge societal norms and drive real change. This issue is too important to be ignored.