On this episode of the Japan Station podcast, translator Allison Markin Powell discusses the story of Shiori Ito and the newly published English version of the book Black Box: The Memoir That Sparked Japan’s #MeToo Movement.
About Allison Markin Powell
Allison Markin Powell is a literary translator, editor, and publishing consultant. The most recently published book she translated is Black Box: The Memoir That Sparked Japan’s #MeToo Movement (The Feminist Press at CUNY) by Shiori Ito.
Topics Discussed
- Allison Markin Powell’s study abroad experience in Kanazawa
- How tell all memoirs don’t seem to be as popular in Japan as in the West
- About the book Black Box: The Memoir That Sparked Japan’s #MeToo Movement
- Who Shiori Ito is
- The frank and open way in which Siori Ito discusses her alleged sexual assault and the events after it
- The press conference Shiori Ito held in 2017
- Meeting Shiori Ito
- The term “quasi-rape” (Jungōkanzai, 準強姦罪)
- Why Shiori Ito called her book “Black Box”
- Shiori Ito’s strength
- Sexual assault statistics in Japan and other places
- How police made Shiori Ito reenact being sexually assaulted in front of them
- Some of the systematic challenges Shiori Ito faced when trying to get justice
- Shiori Ito’s influence and impact
- And much more!
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Links, Videos, Etc.
To purchase a copy of Black Box: The Memoir That Sparked Japan’s #MeToo Movement, consider using the Amazon affiliate link below. It won’t cost you anything extra and it will support the show.
Here is the video interview of Allison Markin Powell that was mentioned during the conversation.
Here is the video of the launch event for Black Box: The Memoir That Sparked Japan’s #MeToo Movement by Shiori Ito.
Don’t forget to check out the latest episode of the Ichimon Japan podcast.
If you would like to support the show by picking up some merchandise, make sure to visit KimitoDesigns.com.
Special Thanks
Opening/Closing song: Oedo Controller (大江戸コントローラー) by Yunomi featuring Toriena (Used with permission from Yunomi) To listen to more of Yunomi’s music, check out his Soundcloud page or YouTube channel.
Japan Station cover art: Provided by Erik R.
Featured image: Courtesy of The Feminist Press at CUNY
