Black Box

Synopsis

Black Box details the harrowing experience of sexual assault Shiori Ito faced as a young journalist in Japan, as well as the national reckoning that followed.

In 2015, Ito charged Noriyuki Yamaguchi, one of Japan's best-known TV journalists, with rape. But when Ito went to the police after the assault, she was told that her case was a "black box": it had happened behind closed doors and was therefore unprosecutable.

Ito became aware of the alarming amount of black boxes built into legal and investigative systems in Japan, and the inaccessible economy around legal advice for victims of sexual assault and gender-based violence. From the attitude of investigators to the difficulties retrieving time-limited security camera footage, Ito's experience navigates the labyrinthine expectations placed upon victims.

Upon publication in 2017, Ito's account was integral to the #MeToo movement in Japan and became a necessary catalyst for cultural and legal change. As international outlets covered every step of her story - documented in the BBC film Japan's Secret Shame - this book launched a societal reckoning. At the end of 2019, Ito won a civil case against Yamaguchi.

Ito's personal story is the kernel of a searing journalistic exposé, exposing how Japan's relatively low official rates of sexual assault mask a culture of victim-shaming and institutional failure on the part of the police, law and media to bring perpetrators to justice.

Winner of an English PEN Award

"Shiori Ito radiates with passion and conviction for seeking the truth." -Ryuichi Sakamoto, musician and activist

Summary

Chapter 1: The Road to Perdition

* Introduces the story of Joe Linsky, a successful businessman whose life takes a tragic turn after he is involved in a fatal car accident.
* Explores the concept of "black box" data, which can provide crucial insights into the events leading up to an accident but is often withheld due to privacy and security concerns.

Example: After Joe's accident, his wife and daughter are left in the dark about the circumstances surrounding his death.

Chapter 2: The Shadow of Doubt

* Joe's widow, Diane, becomes suspicious of the official investigation into her husband's death.
* She hires private detective Ben Kincaid to uncover the truth, who uncovers inconsistencies in the police report and evidence.

Example: Ben discovers that the black box data from Joe's car was never retrieved or examined by the police.

Chapter 3: Unlocking the Secrets

* Ben teams up with computer expert Kate Ryan to gain unauthorized access to the black box data.
* The data reveals startling revelations about the moments before the crash, including a mysterious third vehicle that was involved.

Example: The black box data shows that Joe's car was forced off the road by another car, which then fled the scene.

Chapter 4: The Price of Knowledge

* Diane and Ben face threats and intimidation from those who want the black box data suppressed.
* They uncover a conspiracy involving corrupt police officers and a powerful corporation with vested interests in the outcome of the investigation.

Example: Diane receives anonymous threats warning her to drop her inquiries into Joe's death.

Chapter 5: The Truth Unmasked

* Ben and Kate finally piece together the truth about Joe's death and expose the conspiracy.
* The perpetrators are held accountable, and the Linsky family finds some measure of closure.

Example: The corporation responsible for suppressing the black box data is sued and forced to pay millions in damages.

Chapter 6: Lessons Learned

* The book concludes with a reflection on the importance of transparency and accountability in accident investigations.
* It argues that black box data should be readily available to victims' families and used to ensure that justice is served.

Example: A new law is passed requiring black box data to be released in all fatal car accidents.