A producer involved in some of Japan\u2019s highest-grossing anime blockbusters was arrested in Tokyo this week on suspicion of creating child pornography.<\/p>\n
Koichiro Ito, 52,\u00a0stands accused of coercing a 15-year-old girl he met over social media into sending him nude selfies in September 2021, Japan\u2019s Mainichi Shimbun <\/em>newspaper reported Thursday. According to another report from leading Tokyo broadcaster TBS, Ito transferred 12,500 yen (about $85) to the girl in exchange for the photos, violating Japan\u2019s Child Prostitution and Pornography Prohibition Act. He was taken into custody near his home in Tokyo\u2019s Shibuya ward on Wednesday.<\/p>\n More from The Hollywood Reporter<\/strong><\/p>\n Ito\u2019s arrest has sent shockwaves through Japan\u2019s insular anime industry. The executive has anime credits dating back nearly 20 years, and he was the lead producer on anime auteur Makoto Shinkai\u2019s globally beloved recent blockbusters, including Your Name<\/em> (2016, $358 million worldwide), Weathering With You<\/em> (2019, $193 million) and Suzume<\/em> (2022, $323.3 million).<\/p>\n According to Japan\u2019s public broadcaster NHK, Ito has essentially admitted the charges. He told investigators that he had nude images sent to him by underage girls on several occasions, and couldn\u2019t recall which girl the police were referring to with their current case. The police are searching for other potential victims. They began their probe of Ito after coming across his name during the investigation of a separate, unrelated child prostitution case.<\/p>\n Best of The Hollywood Reporter<\/strong><\/p>\n