Question from a reader:
Why do so many people try to determine whether there was “consent” solely based on the perpetrator’s account? Regarding the case of Nakai Masahiro, some people say, “Maybe the woman initially consented?” or “Perhaps she just changed her mind later.” However, I believe that these are merely opinions from the perpetrator’s perspective. Ignoring the feelings of the
other party and thinking, “It seemed like she wasn’t uncomfortable, so it must be okay,” is strange. If a bully says, “I didn’t bully anyone,” would we just accept that as true? If a power-harassing boss claims, “It was just guidance,” would we say, “Well, in that case, I understand”? Of course not. Why is the perpetrator’s “intent” prioritized in this matter? In fact, the third-party committee pointed out that the “difference in perception” is the issue and concluded, citing the WHO’s definition, that “this cannot be considered consent.” In other words, it’s not about whether someone was “uncomfortable,” but rather whether it was “of free will” that matters. In situations where there is a power imbalance, such as with superiors or celebrities, there may be things one cannot express. Furthermore, Nakai himself has not claimed that “nothing happened.” He has only said, “It was a misunderstanding” or “That’s not what I meant.” If that were the case, he could have simply said from the beginning, “If there was a misunderstanding, I apologize.” Ultimately, he settled the matter without denying the core issues. This means that the critical question is not whether there was consent, but whether that consent was given freely. There are far too many people who do not understand this. It’s truly puzzling why the “perspective of the victim” is so often overlooked. Do people genuinely believe that “if the perpetrator says so, they must be innocent”?
The Weight of Consent and Its Understanding
Recently, I was deeply prompted to think about the case of Nakai Masahiro. While having tea with a friend, the topic came up unexpectedly, and we ended up passionately discussing it. Personally, I enjoy comedy and usually talk about light subjects, so discussing something so serious made me a bit nervous. However, I realized how important it is.
The Difficulty of Standing in the Perpetrator’s Shoes
What my friend said was, “It’s strange to judge whether there was consent based only on the perpetrator’s words.” Indeed, it seems that in our society, the perspective of the perpetrator has often been prioritized. For example, in cases of bullying or power harassment, if the perpetrator claims, “I didn’t mean it that way,” there are people who immediately believe them. It feels unfair. Having experienced bullying during my school years, I have strong feelings about this issue. At that time, I felt a profound sense of loneliness, as if no one understood my feelings. Because of that, I now believe we must value the “perspective of the victim.”
The Importance of Consent and Its Interpretation
In the case of Nakai, it makes sense that the third-party committee pointed out the importance of “whether it was of free will.” We must ask ourselves if what we call consent is genuinely based on free will. When social standing and power dynamics come into play, it can complicate that judgment. I often find myself pondering, “Was this really consent?” in complex human relationships. My friend pointed out that even if the perpetrator claims, “There was consent,” we must consider the feelings and circumstances of the recipient. I completely agree. Especially when there is a power imbalance, we should question whether that consent was truly voluntary.
Reactions Around Us
Nonetheless, the public reactions are incredibly diverse. A friend of mine said, “Most people agree with you,” but I have also seen many opposing opinions on social media. The way information is conveyed and received varies from person to person, making it difficult to have a unified stance. No matter how correct our opinions may be, it is challenging to consider how others feel. That’s why I believe it’s essential to deepen our understanding through discussions like this.
Please Share Your Thoughts
What do you think about this issue? If you have experiences or opinions regarding the importance of consent or how to interpret the perpetrator’s statements, please let me know in the comments. I hope that by sharing events around us and our feelings, we can gain a little more understanding. I look forward to having a fun conversation over tea!
