Tokyo, Dec 18 (AFP/APP): A Tokyo court Wednesday awarded 3.3 million yen ($30,000) in damages to journalist Shiori Ito, who accused a former TV reporter of rape in one of the most high-profile cases of the #MeToo movement in Japan. The civil case made headlines in Japan and abroad, as it is rare for rape victims to report the crime to the police — according to a 2017 government survey, only four percent of women come forward. Ito has become an outspoken symbol for #MeToo in Japan, where the movement against sexual harassment and abuse has struggled to take hold. She had sought 11 million yen ($100,000) in compensation from Noriyuki Yamaguchi, a former TV reporter with close links to Shinzo Abe, alleging he raped her after inviting her to dinner to discuss a job opportunity in 2015. Yamaguchi denies any wrongdoing and had filed a counter-suit against Ito, seeking 130 million yen in compensation. “We won. The countersuit was turned down,” said Ito outside the court, holding up a banner that read “victory”. Ahead of the ruling, Ito went before the cameras and said she had received widespread support. “Since I woke up this morning, I have seen several … Continue reading Japan journalist wins high-profile #MeToo case