OPEN SECRETS EP3

-Hostage Justice in Japan 2022

Commissioned by VICE Asia, we made a film about a radio host, Natsushi Satoshi, who, through his program, reveals and warns his listeners about a severe human rights abuse called hostage justice or hitojichi-shiho. In Japan, the prosecutors win 99% of the cases they bring to trial. “You need a confession and a body to provide enough evidence for a guilty sentence, “ says the former judge. Coerced confession by detaining the accused/ suspected for an extended period is rampant.

It was part of the TV series “Open Secrets”, broadcast on Canal+ and Vice World News.

Director/ producer: Fuyuko Mochizuki, DP: John Enos, Editor: Neo Sora, Location sound by Mariel Lohninger, Second Camera: Justyna Feicht