A former production company executive, Koichiro Ito, was sentenced to four years of imprisonment by the Wakayama District Court on February 28, 2025, after being convicted of child exploitation offenses including child prostitution and production of child pornography. Ito, 53, from Nakatsugawa City, Gifu Prefecture, previously had involvement as a producer of the acclaimed film "Your Name."
During the proceedings, presiding judge Keiko Fukushima highlighted Ito's repeated exploitation of his victims. She noted how he coerced underage girls to send nude photos and recorded secret videos during sexual acts, emphasizing the severity and long-term impact of his actions on the victims' mental and physical development. "These actions had serious negative effects on the sound growth of the victims, whose capacity to understand the consequences of sexual acts remains underdeveloped," said Fukushima. She stressed the significant degree of culpability associated with the crime of non-consensual intercourse.
According to judicial sources, the crimes unfolded between September 2021 and November 2023. Ito was aware of the ages of the girls and still proceeded to engage in sexual acts with them. He used to offer cash payments for these activities, which included giving ¥20,000 to one girl under the age of 16, with whom he also committed obscene acts.
During the trial, Ito acknowledged the charges and his defense attorneys requested probation, mentioning the settlement reached with the victims’ families, which they argued could mitigate the sentence. Despite this, the court maintained the necessity of punishment due to the nature of the offenses.
The case has garnered significant attention due to Ito's prior public persona as part of the team behind one of Japan's most celebrated animated films. "Your Name," which was released internationally to great acclaim, often touches on youthful romance and connection, starkly contrasting the criminal behavior of its producer.
Victims' rights advocates have expressed their relief at the sentencing, stating it serves as a necessary precedent for holding predators accountable, especially those who utilize their societal positions to manipulate and exploit vulnerable minors. The sentencing is anticipated to send strong signals within the entertainment industry, which has been increasingly under scrutiny for various scandals involving abuse perpetuated by individuals of high profile.
This case, alongside many others, has stirred discussions about child protection laws and mechanisms facilitating the reporting of sexual exploitation. Legislative bodies are under pressure to re-examine these laws, ensuring they adequately address the surge of cases involving digital exploitation and abuse facilitated through social media platforms.
Moving forward, advocacy groups are calling for enhanced educational programs aimed at young people about consent and personal boundaries, hoping to empower potential victims and disseminate knowledge about seeking help against exploitation.