For the first issue of Unseen Japan Insider, I wanted to tackle a subject that’s been on my mind for a few weeks. When it came out that former SMAP band member Nakai Masahiro had settled a sexual assault case privately, all hell broke loose in a way we don’t usually see in Japan with such cases.
A Bluesky follower asked us: What’s changed? Why did this case break through when others have been hushed and swept under the rug?
Some of the credit, of course, goes to Ito Shiori. The #MeToo movement was almost nonexistent in Japan until she pursued justice from her rapist. Ito’s courage in speaking out has encouraged other women and increased societal awareness of sexual assault.
I think a lesser-discussed reason is the number of working women.
