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Japanese actress accuses director; starts #MeToo group

28 Comments
By YURI KAGEYAMA

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28 Comments
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In the west metoo is a bit over blown in my honest opinion. But i can see no harm in it coming here to Japan and hopefully changing some, how to put it... societal norms, that need to be banished to the dark ages.

-1 ( +6 / -7 )

 #MeToo group for Japan's entertainment industry.

I doubt that society/people here, in general, are going to be ready for the shock IF the women in the entertainment industry start "coming out".

I get the feeling that there are a HELL of a lot of women that have plenty of stories to tell, but most will be unwilling to talk, because they still want to work here!

5 ( +6 / -1 )

Here we go again...

women in the entertainment industry many of which WILLINGLY participated in such acts in the hope of advancing their career make a bold and courageous step into the public eye. If her career went the way she wanted it to she wouldn't be complaining....

Japan really needs to stamp out this metoo nonsense before it really does some damage to people's careers.

-6 ( +6 / -12 )

I think it’s wrong to say all victims are selfish attention seeking women, as it’s also wrong to say that all unwanted attention is harassment. Both sides can play their cards and lie!

A person in a position of power should not abuse it in a professional setting.

If people think #metoo is overblown it probably is mostly regarding the hysteria surrounding it. All accusers and accusations are not to be believed, but if you encourage an open field on the internet, sociopaths and liars will use it to discredit or slander those they dislike.

Guys have to realize that it’s physically frightening for a lady to be treated that way.

If 3-4 ladies cat call me on a street at night, they would have no chance of hurting me without weapons. I think 3-4 ladies would still be in grave danger from a crazy abusive man with no help in sight. You have to put yourself in other’s shoes.

As a guy you can imagine what it would be like to have a 190cm, 110 kg fella walk up, put his hand on you and say that your sexy and he’s gotta have you. If you find that simply harmless banter then ok.

5 ( +9 / -4 )

The metoo movement in the west has devolved into a man-hating movement by frustrated feminists.

Japan, however, is clearly in need of this. Anyone who has lived here for any length of time would admit so.

2 ( +12 / -10 )

If #MeToo takes hold here it could end up in tearful and heartfelt resignations of 25-30% of male officials in every sector. The private hospitals will be jam-packed with politicians and captains of industry.

6 ( +8 / -2 )

I think you should have to put out your name if you make accusations. Anonymous accusations can be dangerous

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

@Rik314Today 09:51 am JST

If #MeToo takes hold here it could end up in tearful and heartfelt resignations of 25-30% of male officials in every sector. The private hospitals will be jam-packed with politicians and captains of industry.

Nothing wrong with that, in my opinion. As a frequent visitor to Japan, I've seen it - the fear in the eyes of women in a sadly parochial society. Not a pretty sight. And the sooner Japanese women take up the torch, the better. But, that's just a Canadian man speaking his mind, from what I believe is the world's most multi-cultural and tolerant country, where we really look down on offenders.

-1 ( +5 / -6 )

Good on her for seeing this through to the end through arbitration and negotiation, as is standard.

Just be careful about turning it into a witch hunt like in America, otherwise the movement will die before it starts.

8 ( +9 / -1 )

 But, that's just a Canadian man speaking his mind, from what I believe is the world's most multi-cultural and tolerant country, where we really look down on offenders.

Please tell that to all the victims in Canada. More so families like Rateah Parson’s, who lost a daughter because she was slut shamed so badly after being raped she killed herself.

Take a look at the comments on any type of “me too” or sexual harassment/assault. Many non Japanese men here like to think this is a problem that only Japanese men are guilty of. It’s simply not the case.

I applaud this woman coming forward and hope to see more continuing to do so in the future.

8 ( +10 / -2 )

I simply support her decision and courage.

6 ( +8 / -2 )

Hopefully women will get our rights.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

Steven FennelToday  08:15 am JST

Here we go again...

women in the entertainment industry many of which WILLINGLY participated in such acts in the hope of advancing their career make a bold and courageous step into the public eye. If her career went the way she wanted it to she wouldn't be complaining....

Japan really needs to stamp out this metoo nonsense before it really does some damage to people's careers.

WILLINGLY? Seriously?

So you put women in a bind... accept the abuse, in an attempt to reach their dream,

Or B say NO, and never get a chance? Not really a choice is it.

No women or man should ever be put into such a position when someone has power and influence over them , and use it to meet their own sexual needs.

Imagine if the same thing was said to a teenager by a teacher? I could recommend you to the great university or recommend you to get into that great job.

It is the same power used by adults over children, and abuse of power by men over women is the same. If you want something you have to BE NICE to me, or if you want that job you have to be NICE to me. If you complain, nobody will listen to you, because i have the power, and you won't get the job anyway.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

 with the goal of showing that speaking out comes with no repercussions, Tanaka and Chino said.

Unfortunately, as of today, this is simply untrue (and not only in Japan). Speaking out has a cost (moral, financial, social etc) but it's the only way to change a culture of impunity for sexual harassers.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Here's a good first step - how about NOT having your children attending one on one meetings, karaokes, house/apartment visits with men. If it's for any legitimate purpose, surely a parent would both want to attend and be required.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

If they really want to make a difference, perhaps they should march in Akihabara or where all those JK business thrive.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Yuko, yes, let’s tell women not to apply for jobs because some men don’t know how to behave. That will fix the problem!

4 ( +5 / -1 )

"touched her shoulders and thighs, and made obscene remarks, promising to land her roles" if this is only what happened I am sure most blokes would deny any such incident occurred, so was there more that went on because the pay out was well above a "touch"?

"The governor of Niigata prefecture has also stepped down after acknowledging he paid cash for sex" and? well if every bloke stepped down from his job because he paid for sex, a large part of the male population would be unemployed!

3 ( +3 / -0 )

The amusing thing that could come out of all this would be the numbers of women who started their "acting" careers as porn stars.

-4 ( +1 / -5 )

This is the tip of the iceberg.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

I dislike #metoo because the onus is on the victims to speak up--but until culture loses tolerance for harassment, it's perhaps a necessary step.

There is so much to unravel. In an employer/employee kind of relationship with a power imbalance, it's not "polite" to show displeasure on your face to a superior or say "stop, what you're doing is wrong" --regardless of the sex of both parties and the issue at hand. The norm is especially strong in Japan, but both Western and Japanese women are educated to be "polite" even when they feel uncomfortable, to nod and smile and laugh, it becomes a response out of fear of the perpetrator's displeasure (if this is how little he values my humanity when he's in a good mood, how would he react if I made him angry?)

If I learned anything from running into a chikan it was that I don't have to be "nice" to the point of hiding my thoughts on unwanted attention. I don't need to smile, I can walk away. It is hard to train oneself into though, and hard to find the courage to do so in a workplace where the perp is someone you see everyday. Perhaps #metoo can help victims find solidarity.

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

Me Too Money Is On Topic

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

@tmarie: this article specifically says this scumbag invited her to karaoke when she was still a high school student, touched her shoulders and thighs, and made obscene remarks, promising to land her roles. as well as some other recent articles involving adult men (mostly older adult men) inviting/touching/kissing underage girls.

first, as for underage girls (and guys)...if it's for legit meetings/discussions, it wouldn't be held between one man and the underaged girl/guy. and it certainly would not be held at the guy's apartment, home, karaoke, hotel room, love hotel or any other private, odd place to do business. due to there only being the one guy at the meeting, and it being in a non-business location, it screams "red flag" and obvious that the guy was up to no good.

second, where are the parents of these underaged girls? "by mom/dad, i'm gonna go meet with an older man for karaoke and hopefully he'll give me more acting roles." sounds legit (not). where are the handlers/staff who are suppose to take care of them for company time, meetings, etc?

third, if you are legally an adult, it doesn't seem any less obvious that this story nor the other ones are shams to have sexual contact with the woman. go to any work meetings you want ladies, but no legit business meeting for any industry (entertainment or otherwise) takes place with you and only 1 guy at places where business is never conducted (unless said business is an exchange of sexual services).

try using a minute amount of common sense. it goes a looooooong way.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

About time too.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

But, that's just a Canadian man speaking his mind, from what I believe is the world's most multi-cultural and tolerant country

As a frequent visitor to Canada, I have noticed that Canadians are the world's most likely country to pat themselves on the back and talk about their virtues. A nice enough country, but very parochial in that way.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Back on topic please.

well if every bloke stepped down from his job because he paid for sex, a large part of the male population would be unemployed!

More like the entire heterosexual male population of Japan. Guys pay for it one way or another, whether it be cash, flowers, a movie, dinner, they pay.

Compensation comes in many forms, just "cash" is the least acceptable form!

2 ( +2 / -0 )

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