Midori Suiren (36), an actor and writer who accused a movie director of sexual assault under her real name, was criticized, saying, “That’s just how the entertainment industry works.” Although he gave birth in early February and is surrounded by happiness, there is a reason why he continues to speak out. “Even if the perpetrator is punished, the victim will not be saved.The scars of sexual violence will remain forever.The film and music entertainment industries need to change more.” (Interviewer: Isoko Mochizuki)
◆I was attacked during a camera test for “temptation acting”…
Suiri was damaged in October 2015. Suspect Hideo Sakaki (53), a film director and company executive, was arrested by the Metropolitan Police Department on February 20 on suspicion of semi-raping another actor, and was called to his office to say he was filming a new movie. There were no other staff members. The suspect Sakaki allegedly held what appeared to be a camera in his hand and said, “I’m giving you some acting guidance,” and asked her to “think of yourself as a camera and try to seduce me.”
Midori Suiren, who accused Hideo Sakaki of victimization, provided by the person
“Camera tests” were common in auditions, so it wasn’t surprising. However, while he was performing a seduction act, he was suddenly pushed down and assaulted. Even now, my memory of that time is broken, perhaps because of the shock. Eight and a half years later, he is still receiving treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Insurance doesn’t cover her, and each treatment is expensive, ranging from 15,000 to 30,000 yen.
◆ Even though the two of us have never met, it’s called an affair.
In interviews with some media outlets, Sakaki admitted to the act, but denied sexual assault, saying, “It was not coercion, but an affair.” However, since it happened so suddenly, there was no time to discuss whether it was an agreement or not. She has never met him alone or had a meal with him other than on the day of the incident. What does “adultery” mean? Even though we haven’t exchanged any messages or emails that would indicate an affair.
It wasn’t until March 2022 that he filed a complaint using his real name. One month earlier, actor and activist Yumi Ishikawa confessed to Sakaki’s sexual assault on her blog without using her real name, and “Weekly Bunshun” published Sakaki’s real name and accused multiple victims of sexual assault. I wrote an article about their voices. “At that time, I decided to show my face for the first time and make accusations using my real name,” he recalls.
After reading the article, I was able to calm down and realize that I, who had been worried until then, was also a victim like them. It felt like a fog was lifting. She wrote an essay for “Tosho Shimbun” about the damage she suffered and her feelings. In April, she became a member of the Society to Eliminate Sexual Assault and Violence in the Film Industry.
◆Continually blaming yourself, saying, “It’s my fault.”
As I listened to the stories of the same victims, I realized that this was an “entrapment” type of sexual assault that took place during a relationship with the suspect, Sakaki, who had casting rights.
Midori Suiren, who accused Hideo Sakaki of sexual assault, in Tokyo on February 29th.
In fact, after being victimized, the suspect Sakaki gave him a role in a movie that seemed like a no-brainer. However, the salary was not paid forever, and when I protested, I was told, “That’s no payment.” In the end, she didn’t even get the job.
The reaction to his real name accusation was huge. Criticisms such as “That’s how the entertainment world is in the first place,” “It’s stupid to not say something at the time and then say it later,” and “It’s a give-and-take thing because you’re getting a job,” were heard one after another.
Some criticized him, asking, “Why didn’t you go to the police right away?” However, he blamed himself, saying, “Immediately after the incident, it was my fault for doing what Suspect Sakaki told me to do,” and he didn’t have time to think about calling the police.
I didn’t realize that my testimony would become evidence until I consulted a lawyer. Nobu Hayasaka, a film cameraman who worked with Ishikawa and Sakaki, has received more than 30 confessions of victimization, and he has also been consulted by multiple victims himself.
There’s no need to give up and say, “It’s impossible because it’s something that happens behind closed doors and only the two of us know.” I want people to know that testimony is an important piece of evidence, and that in police investigations, it is important to carefully accumulate objective evidence based on testimony.
◆The Johnny’s problem was as if nothing had happened.
Midori Suiren, who accused Hideo Sakaki of sexual assault, in Tokyo on February 29th.
When she first went to the police station for advice, she was worried because she was surrounded by male detectives, but after that, the Metropolitan Police Department and female detectives in charge of the station were in charge. Although it was painful for him to go to the crime scene, he was moved by the enthusiasm of the female detectives, who sometimes shed tears with him.
It’s not just sexual assault. In the entertainment and film industries, there are many orders for freelance work that are exploitative, and I think the very nature of the industry needs to change.
If society’s understanding of sexual assault improves, it should be possible to implement measures that are more considerate of victims, such as PTSD treatment being covered by insurance. Since last year, the sexual assault issue of the late Johnny Kitagawa, founder of the former Johnny’s Office (currently Smile Up) has been talked about, and it has been pointed out that he has the highest number of victims in the world. The atmosphere is as if it never happened.
◆Do not make it a temporary thing
There is a sense of crisis that the issue of sexual assault in the film industry, which was a hot topic when Shukan Bunshun reported it in March 2022, has been forgotten two years later. At the end of last year, the “Society to Eliminate Sexual Assault and Sexual Violence in the Video Industry” held a press conference and explained that this should not be a temporary thing, explaining the problems in the video industry and mass media, and the current situation where victims are being left behind. etc.
Laws and systems need to be put in place to prevent this from becoming a temporary phenomenon. To that end, the government should take the initiative in investigating sexual harassment, power harassment, and labor exploitation in the film and entertainment music industries that form the basis of this.
The Children and Families Agency has yet to hear from Kitagawa’s victims. The industry’s silence over the years and the media’s silence have combined to create no momentum for the government to take the initiative. If we don’t change it now, when will we be able to change it? For the sake of our children’s future, I think it is most important for everyone to speak out, for the media to stop being silent, and for the government to take action.
