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Prosecutors Seek 10-Year Prison Term for Film Director Hideo Sakaki in Tokyo Trial

A verdict is scheduled for March 6 following arguments that focused on alleged abuse of casting power versus consent.

Overview

  • Prosecutors asked the Tokyo District Court on Dec. 23 to sentence Hideo Sakaki, 55, to 10 years in prison.
  • The case centers on allegations that he coerced two actresses in their 20s in 2015–2016, including at a Minato office and a Shibuya hotel.
  • Prosecutors say he stopped women after staff left and filmed encounters as supposed acting instruction, asserting he leveraged casting authority.
  • Victims told the court they feared losing roles if they resisted his demands.
  • Sakaki maintains a not-guilty plea, arguing the encounters were consensual and that he did not threaten to withhold opportunities.