Your Name producer to go to prison

The Wakayama District Court has sentenced 53-year-old Kouichirou Itou, former producer of the famous film " Your Name ( Kimi no Na wa )" and other projects by director Makoto Shinkai , to four years in prison on eleven counts of child exploitation, among other serious crimes. According to the authorities' investigation, between November 2022 and December 2023, Itou contacted two minors through social media, offering them between 20,000 and 60,000 yen for sexual relations.

 

As if that weren't enough, he secretly recorded some of these encounters, which earned him additional charges of producing child pornography and filming illegal sexual content. At trial, Itou admitted to the facts, although his defense attempted to downplay the charges related to the recordings. However, the court was not fooled and made it clear that the guy was actively seeking out minors on social media, repeating his actions several times.

" The defendant used the internet to find minors, pay them for sex and film them without their consent. His actions have had a serious impact on the victims' development ," the judge said. And although Itou was involved in the production of the mega-hit film "Your Name (Kimi no Na wa)", he has long since left the anime industry. Still, his connection to several iconic films by director Makoto Shinkai has caused outrage on social media, with many expressing their disgust towards the subject.

And although the verdict has imposed one of the harshest sentences in Japan for this type of crime in recent years, for many it is still not enough , as has been demonstrated in the comments of the community:

• " I'm really surprised that he's actually going to prison ."

• " Four years? That's too soft ."

• « From the past life, a criminal ».

• " Four years with so many people? "

• " The anime producer is not an animator, but many of the presidents and producers are involved in incidents, so it seems something is going on ."

• " I want to see the impressions of those who paid to see that film ."

• " It's just reference material... "

• " When there is an exchange of money, it is already considered a crime, no matter if you call it romance ."

• " If he did it with minors, he should spend a few years in prison ."

• " Four years, really? How sweet! "

• " Both are wrong, but the law does not allow it ."

• " It's becoming a habit, huh? "

• " Your name? Or rather, your sentence? "

Source: Hachima Kikou

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