Your Name: Producer arrested for harassing minors in Japan

Wakayama Prefectural Police have arrested 52-year-old Kouichirou Itou Your Name and Suzume no Tojimari , for harassing young girls in Nagano, Japan. Itou confessed to the charges, although he told authorities that he "has done this to other people, so he is not sure if the charges relate to the minors mentioned."

According to information provided by authorities, Itou requested photos of this girl in September 2021, knowing that she was a minor.

Itou was discovered as part of a separate prostitution investigation, police said. Authorities are currently investigating whether other victims are involved in this case. It's important to note that Itou served as a producer on many of director Makoto Shinkai's works, including his second feature film, "Kumo no Mukou, Yakusoku no Basho," "Hoshi wo Ou Kodomo," "Kotonoha no Niwa (The Garden of Words)," his hit film "Kimi no Na wa. (Your Name.)," and his next two films, "Tenki no Ko (Weather with You)" and "Suzume no Tojimari."

The news caused a stir in the anime industry and among fans of the works Itou was involved in. So far, the studios and production companies associated with his projects have not commented on the matter. However, this situation has also raised concerns about the safety and well-being of minors working in or associated with the entertainment industry:

I thought he only produced Your Name, but I took a look and it seems he's been a constant collaborator of Makoto Shinkai for a long time.
Considering the scene where the girl gropes her breasts, it makes me wonder how long I've been doing this kind of thing.
I find it quite curious that the girl in "Your Name" is also a high school student like the victim. When I rewatched the film, I felt her crimes were connected to the story. It's troubling that this producer will now face multiple charges of sexual assault against minors; it's no longer just a matter of possessing images.
It's clear, you can't make a movie where a high school girl gets her breasts groped and gets away with it.
You Namef oro made by many people, but it all goes to hell because of just one.
As expected, a criminal record will haunt you for life.
While many say it's unnecessary to mention that he was the producer of "Your Name," this guy is a close collaborator of Makoto Shinkai and has been involved in almost all of his projects. I think this will really have an impact on his future films.

Synopsis:

Mitsuha, a teenager, lives in the picturesque town of Itomori, nestled in the mountains of Hida, Japan. Bored with rural life, she yearns for urban experiences and dreams of moving to Tokyo. Following a family tradition, she and her family brew kuchikamizake, a special sake, and offer it at the ancestral shrine, located on a mountain on the outskirts of town.

Finally, the producer has an extensive list of works with director Makoto Shinkai.

Source: Yahoo! Taiwan