Several actresses have accused the controversial Japanese filmmaker Sion Sono of harassment and of trying to take sexual licenses with “most of (its) female leads” for years, according to an article published in Shukan Josei Prime.
The pink press portal published an extensive article on Monday in which, anonymously, several women linked to the Japanese entertainment industry accused Sono (Toyokawa, 1961) of making indecent proposals, exceeding himself and even of an attempted rape that would have taken place a decade ago.
A day later, when several specialized Anglo-Saxon media echoed the accusations, the Japanese Milla Arakiwho defines herself as a fashion designer and actress, shared one of the articles on the social network Twitter with the message: “It’s not just sexual harassment, it’s much more, he attacked me. Yes, I am one of the victims.”
In a message that was maintained today as the front page of the website of his production company, Sion Production, Sono apologized for the inconvenience caused by the revelations and wrote: “I feel the lack of consideration that I have had with the people around me and I would like to make amends from now on.”
However, the filmmaker denied the accusations, pointing out that the information in the article “differs from the facts” and that it will take “the appropriate measures” through its representative.
“Sono’s predatory behavior towards women has been well known among Japanese filmmakers for years, but none dared speak out for fear of backlash and ostracism.”the actor denounced today Yuki Matsuzaki in a Twitter thread in which he addresses the silence of the Japanese industry.
The actor has been sharing testimonies on networks of women who say they have suffered the filmmaker’s harassment or have listened to warnings about his behavior for years.
The accusations against Sono come a month after several women made similar allegations against another prominent Japanese filmmaker, Hideo Sakaki. (Goto, 1970), in the magazine Shukan Bunshun, and against the actor Houka Kinoshita (Dato, 1964).
According to the women, who also take refuge in anonymity, both they would have abused their position to go too far and coerce them into having sex in exchange for promises about the future of their careers.
Sakaki has acknowledged having sex with some of them, but says they were consensual.
These revelations led dozens of Japanese industry professionals, including names like directors Hirokazu Kore-eda and Miwa Nishikawa, to sign a manifesto against these abuses. (I)
Source: Eluniverso
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