Koichiro Ito, the Japanese producer behind beloved titles such as "Suzume," "Your Name," and "Weathering With You," is now facing up to six years in prison for engaging in child pornography.
Ito has been under investigation since February of last year after he was accused of paying significant sums of money to over 100 individuals to have sexual relations with him. He then filmed and collected footage of the encounters.
He was arrested weeks after he allegedly performed sexual acts with a 15-year-old girl who he met on social media. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Ito asked the girl to send him nude selfies of herself and transferred 12,500 yen (about $79) to the teen as payment.
What Has the Producer Said About the Case?
Following his arrest, authorities said the producer admitted to the crimes and was fully aware of the victims being underage. It was also noted that his lawyers initially denied some of the charges against him but later admitted to them.
He is facing charges related to rape, child pornography, and child prostitution, per Hindustan Times. If found guilty, Ito could face up to six years in prison.
He is currently receiving counseling at a medical institution and is set to appear on trial on February 28.
Who Is Koichiro Ito?
Ito is a Japanese anime producer who has been involved in several popular films, most notably in collaboration with director Makoto Shinkai. Among his well-known works were "Your Name," a 2016 film that grossed about $358 million worldwide; "Weathering With You," a 2019 movie that earned about $193 million globally; and "Suzume," a 2022 global hit that earned $323 million.
In response to Ito's arrest, Shinkai shared an official statement on X (formerly Twitter), where he apologized to the victims.
"I was extremely shocked to see the news of the arrests of those involved in the production. First and foremost, I would like to express my deepest sympathies to the victim. I am also truly sorry for causing anxiety to all of you who love and support my work," he wrote, as translated using Google Translate.
