Sakaki Hideo, a prominent Japanese actor and film director, was arrested in Tokyo on Tuesday on suspicion of sexual assault. The arrest is related to an alleged incident in May 2016, where Sakaki is accused of assaulting an actor in her 20s at his apartment under the guise of providing acting advice. The woman reported the incident to Tokyo police in September of that year and filed a formal complaint in 2023.
Following a report in a weekly magazine in March 2022, Sakaki issued an apology but denied some of the allegations. He admitted to consensual relationships with three women but denied any involvement with the fourth. His wife, music composer Sakaki Izumi, publicly apologized for his behavior and expressed intentions to end their marriage.
Sakaki has had a successful career in the film industry, with notable works such as 'Kidnap Rhapsody' and 'Disregarded People.' However, the release of his directorial films 'Mitsugetsu' and 'Hazard Lamp' has been canceled in light of the allegations.
The Japanese entertainment industry has faced a reckoning with reports of sexual abuse and power dynamics. Other figures, including director Sono Sion and actor Kinoshita Houka, have also been accused of sexual assault. Last year, kabuki actor Ichikawa Innosuke faced allegations of abuse, leading to a confession to Tokyo Metropolitan Police and subsequent charges related to his parents' deaths.
Allegations have also surfaced against actor Kagawa Teruyuki and film producer Umekawa Haruo. The industry's reluctance to address abuse claims has been highlighted, with investigations spurred by external reports such as a BBC documentary on Johnny Kitagawa, a deceased industry figure accused of decades of sexual abuse.
