A prominent anime producer in Japan has been arrested in Tokyo on suspicion of creating child pornography. The 52-year-old producer allegedly coerced a 15-year-old girl he met on social media into sending him nude selfies in September 2021. Reports indicate that the producer transferred money to the girl in exchange for the explicit photos, which is a violation of Japan's Child Prostitution and Pornography Prohibition Act.
The arrest of the producer, who has been involved in some of Japan's highest-grossing anime blockbusters, has sent shockwaves through the country's anime industry. The producer has an extensive history in the industry, with credits dating back nearly two decades. He was the lead producer on several globally beloved anime films, including 'Your Name' (2016), 'Weathering With You' (2019), and 'Suzume' (2022), all of which achieved significant box office success.
According to reports, the producer has admitted to the charges brought against him. He confessed to receiving nude images from underage girls on multiple occasions and claimed he could not recall the specific girl involved in the current case. Authorities are now investigating the possibility of other victims and have initiated a search for potential additional cases.
The investigation into the producer began as part of a separate inquiry into a different child prostitution case. The police discovered the producer's involvement during their examination of the unrelated case, leading to his arrest near his residence in Tokyo's Shibuya ward.
