Japanese actor and director Hideo Sakaki has been sentenced to 8 years in prison for sexually assaulting two actresses, abusing his position of power. According to Mainichi, during the preliminary hearing last weekend, the court determined that in 2015, Sakaki used his role as a film director to assault a woman around 20 years old. He would isolate actresses under the pretext of directing, demanding they remove clothing to check for tattoos before the assault. In 2016, Sakaki employed this tactic again with another actress, also around 20. Investigations revealed he threatened to destroy victims' careers in the arts if they did not comply with his demands.

Actor and director Hideo Sakaki. Photo: Oricon.

Following the court's verdict, Sakaki maintained his innocence, claiming the relationships were "consensual". His lawyer stated that they would appeal the decision.

The women accused Sakaki starting in 6/2023, leading to his arrest in 2/2024 and his wife filing for divorce. The 56-year-old was a renowned Japanese filmmaker, having starred in popular films such as Versus, Battlefield Baseball, and Alive.

According to Ettoday, Sakaki's case is part of a broader issue, as the Japanese entertainment industry has faced a series of sexual misconduct scandals in recent years. Many filmmakers have been accused of offering roles in exchange for sexual favors. In 2023, dozens of prominent producers, including Kore-eda Hirokazu, Nobuhiro Suwa, Yukiko Sode, and Miwa Nishikawa, issued a joint statement. They urged directors to cease abusing their positions for personal gain, emphasizing that such actions tarnish the film industry and harm the creative environment. The producers also pledged to establish a safe working environment for all filmmakers.

Nhu Anh (according to Mainichi)