Japanese Anime 'Your Name' Producer Arrested on Charges of Minor Sexual Exploitation

Producer of 'Your Name' Arrested
Accused of Forcing Female Student to Take Nude Photos

A producer who participated in the production of the Japanese animated film "Your Name," which was also popular in Korea, was arrested by the police on charges of violating laws prohibiting child prostitution and pornography. On the 22nd, local media including NHK reported that Ito Koichiro (52) was arrested on suspicion of paying a 15-year-old female high school student to send nude photos.

Still cut from the movie 'Your Name'. [Image source=Naver Movie]

He is accused of having a victim from another region, whom he met through social networking services (SNS) in September 2021, take nude photos and send them to his mobile phone, knowing that the victim was a minor under 18 years old. At the time of the crime, the victim was 15 years old. Additionally, other photos and videos of women were found on Ito's personal computer. During the police investigation, he said, "Because I exchanged with other people as well, I do not remember which child this case is among the videos on the computer."

After the news was reported, Japanese netizens responded with comments such as "Sincerely apologize and reflect to the victim's family," "There might be more crimes. A thorough investigation is necessary," and "This is shocking. Shouldn't those around him also be investigated?"

Meanwhile, Ito is currently running a production company and is reported to have participated in the production of the film "Your Name." Directed by Makoto Shinkai, "Your Name" received great love from domestic audiences when it was released in 2017, recording a cumulative audience of 3.91 million. Ito is also known to have participated in the Japanese animated film "Suzume no Tojimari," which was released in 2022.