Koichiro Ito, producer of Your Name, Suzume and several animated films at CoMix Wave Films, was arrested again on suspicion of sexually abusing a 15-year-old girl in exchange for cash. Fuji and Kyoto Shimbun news networks reported that Ito (52 years old) met a girl on November 26, 2023 and paid her 20,000 yen in exchange for sexual acts knowing she was under 16 years old. They met in July 2022.
This follows Itou’s initial arrest late last month for soliciting sexually explicit images from a minor while knowing she was underage. Ito admitted the crime. However, unable to admit to soliciting the specific girl, he said: “I have received pictures from underage women several times in the past, but I can’t remember which one this was. whose”. Police vowed to find more victims and their efforts have so far been successful.
Ito worked with famous director Makoto Shinkai on Suzume, your name. (Your Name), Weathering With You, The Place Promised in Our Early Days, Dareka no Manazashi, Children Who Chase Lost Voices, and the short film The Garden of Words. In a statement, Shinkai acknowledged his disappointment and heartbreak for the victims of Ito’s crimes, adding: “I sincerely apologize to all those who loved and supported the work of Ito me for causing concern. Although I believe that the value of the work will not be diminished because of the recent incident, I understand that it is natural for people to be skeptical. It’s extremely frustrating and sad. Shinkai recently scored a huge win at the Crunchyroll Anime Awards for Suzume.
Source: Fuji News Network, Kyoto Shimbun, via Anime News Network
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