‘Me Too’ Movement

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The "Me Too" movement has taken the world by storm, but Japanese society gave a cold shoulder to the victims of sexual abuse. One Japanese woman who mustered the courage to come forward ended up facing criticism in her home country and had to leave Japan. She recently visited Korea to share her story and find solace. Take a look.

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Shiori Ito's dream was to become a journalist. Last year, she came forward with a revelation that a famous journalist whom she met for a consultation sexually abused her. However, Japanese society showed a cold response to her pain. She was even blackmailed and eventually had to leave her home country and move to the U.K. BBC has produced a documentary film about Shiori Ito under the title "Japan's Secret Shame." She continues to be part of the "Me Too" movement to help Japanese victims of sexual violence.

[Soundbite] Shiori Ito(Victim of sexual violence) : "I have received courage and I realized that I am not alone."

Recently, Shiori Ito visited Seoul to find out how Korean society deals with sexual abuse. Unlike in Japan, there are nearly 200 counseling centers for victims of sexual abuse in Korea. What's more, the way this issue is handled in Korea is quite different from Japan.

[Soundbite] Staff at counseling center for victims of sexual abuse : "What the victim did was the best you could do at the time."

Shiori Ito breaks down in tears.

[Soundbite] Shiori Ito(Victim of sexual violence) : "It's the first time someone said that it was the best I could do. It made me realize that I should not chastise myself and that I have done nothing wrong and that I can regain courage."

The Japanese broadcaster NHK has recently aired a program about Shiori Ito to urge change in Japanese society.