Prominent Photojournalist Natsuki Yasuda Publicly Accuses Ryuichi Hirokawa of Sexual Abuse

Photojournalist Natsuki Yasuda recently disclosed publicly that she was a victim of sexual abuse perpetrated by prominent fellow photojournalist Ryuichi Hirokawa. Yasuda, who serves as vice president for the nonprofit organization Dialogue for People, shared her personal experience via the group's official website dated February 27.

Yasuda revealed that at the time of the abuse, she was a student volunteer working under Hirokawa while aspiring to enter the field of photojournalism. She emphasized in an interview that Hirokawa has never adequately acknowledged the gravity or immorality of his actions. Yasuda said she had known she would eventually feel compelled to speak publicly and under her own name.

In 2019, Hirokawa faced scrutiny conducted by a special investigative committee organized by Days Japan, the photojournalism magazine where he was editor-in-chief. That investigation found Hirokawa repeatedly committed acts of abuse against female staff members and volunteers, including requiring them to engage in sexual intercourse, taking nude photographs without consent, and other forms of abusive behavior during the period from 2004 to 2017. Yasuda herself had privately reported her own experiences to the investigative committee at that time.

Yasuda indicated her decision to go public with her allegations at this time was motivated by a January ruling from the Tokyo District Court. This court ruling examined a defamation lawsuit filed by Hirokawa against publisher Bungeishunju Ltd. over a 2019 tabloid magazine article that used a woman's testimony to describe sexual violence committed by him. The court partially sided with Hirokawa and ordered compensation because the headline's use of the word "rape" implied the legal crime of forcible sexual intercourse, involving physical violence and coercion—an implication the court found defamatory. However, the court also acknowledged that there was sufficient evidence to believe the claims inside the article of his abusive behavior were credible.

On the website of Dialogue for People, Yasuda further disclosed that she had been among the seven anonymous women contributing to an earlier Shukan Bunshun article accusing Hirokawa of sexual violence. She expressed concern that Hirokawa's recent online statements highlighting only the parts of the lawsuit he won would undermine these testimonies. Yasuda stressed the importance of protecting and valuing the courage of women who spoke out from further harm.

In response to Yasuda’s accusations, Hirokawa provided a written statement to The Asahi Shimbun. He supported the court's determination regarding the inappropriate use of the word "rape" but claimed that the article contained various other misunderstandings as well. Hirokawa vowed to appeal to a higher court in an effort to dispute these points.