Recently, a Japanese TV series called "Fence" has attracted widespread attention and has become a hot topic on the whole Internet. The show bravely touches on an extremely sensitive topic, namely sex crimes by U.S. troops stationed abroad.
The issue of U.S. troops stationed abroad has always been a topic of great concern, especially in South Korea, where it has frequently come up. From time to time, there will be news reports that South Korean women were sexually assaulted by the US military, which has triggered widespread discussion and criticism in society.
Although South Korean films such as "Unknown Recipient" have portrayed negative images of US troops stationed in South Korea, the topic has been avoided on mainstream television.
For Japan, this topic also seems to have been ignored or avoided. This may have something to do with the security agreement between the Japanese government and the United States, making the issue of U.S. troops in Japan an untouchable and sensitive topic.
Now, however, Akiko Noki, the gold-medal screenwriter of "Unnatural Death" and "Escape Shameful but Useful", has created a drama to expose this forbidden area. This drama has received a high evaluation of 8.7 points on Douban, which can be described as an unprecedented breakthrough in Japanese dramas.
01
The opening scene of "The Fence" is shocking - the female store manager Sakura bravely stands up to report the crime, claiming that she was sexually assaulted. She described the rapist as an American wearing a T-shirt printed with a snake pattern.
However, after days of reporting, the police have not taken any action, raising questions about the fairness and effectiveness of the justice system.
In order to find out the truth, a female reporter from a magazine (played by Matsuoka Moyu) specially came to interview.
Not only did she interview Sakura in person to learn more about the case, but she also contacted her ex-boyfriend, a police officer, to secretly spy on insider information. She was determined to expose the truth, fight crime, and write a powerful article.
At first glance, "The Fence" may seem like a cliché story about women helping each other to fight sexual assault, but in fact, the truth of this case is not so simple.
Sakura is not a young man with a vague understanding of rape, she knows very well that she should call the police immediately after being sexually assaulted, and does not hesitate to charge rape when facing the police.
However, what is confusing is that she destroyed all evidence in the first place, tried to wash away traces of the day of the incident, and even discarded all the clothes she wore that day.
When questioned by the police, Sakura was divided and vague. She claimed she was brought to the room blindfolded and was unable to provide more detailed information.
The police asked her about the situation on the ground at the crime scene, but Sakura widened her eyes, bowed her head and was silent, showing a weak heart.
Under police screening, possible suspects surfaced.
However, when it comes to identifying the suspect, Sakura's reaction is unusually strange. Although there were several clear photographs for her to identify, she looked left and right, never sure. Sakura claims that she needs to find glasses to see clearly, so she takes the opportunity to pick up the photo and quietly slip away.
Most suspiciously, the crime scene described by Sakura turned out to be a complete fabrication.
She claimed to have driven to the bar that day, but chose to leave because there were too many people in the bar, but was attacked on the way home.
However, there is evidence that her car was borrowed that day and was not returned until the next day. This means that Sakura didn't actually go to the bar that night.
The passionate female reporter who originally wanted to help Sakura reveal the truth and catch the criminals finally saw through the dark corners of Sakura's heart after a series of careful and in-depth investigations.
She asked Sakura angrily: "You are fabricating the case, and the motive behind it is far more impure than imagined!" ”
This scene made the audience sigh: the truth of the matter is far more complicated than what appears on the surface.
02
It is unbelievable that Sakura, as a woman, would somehow make up her experience of rape. In fact, the drama "Fence" touches on an extremely sensitive political issue.
The story is set in Okinawa, a place with a unique historical background. While many Japanese dramas portray Okinawa as a tranquil island with beautiful scenery and away from the hustle and bustle of the city, in reality, Okinawa carries heavy historical baggage.
Since the end of World War II, the U.S. military has established a large number of bases in Okinawa and enjoys some degree of privilege. This phenomenon not only aroused strong resentment among the local people in Okinawa, but also triggered repeated protests.
Against this backdrop, Sakura falsely reported the rape case.
The female reporter's investigation revealed that Sakura's motives were to discredit the U.S. military and build momentum for a political campaign against the expansion of U.S. bases in Okinawa.
As a native of Okinawa, Sakura lives with her grandmother, is well cared for by the locals, and has a lot of affection for Okinawa. Her maternal grandmother was a staunch opponent of the reclamation plan.
At a time when opposition to the US military base is growing, Sakura has come forward to accuse the US military of rape, but there are many loopholes.
During the investigation, the female reporter realized that she had become a pawn. Her boss cleverly exploited her empathy in an attempt to manipulate her into publishing a fabricated rape story as a bargaining chip to influence political directions.
However, after a series of investigations, she finally realizes that Sakura has only revealed part of the truth. It is true that Sakura was not raped, but all the horrors she described happened to her young sister.
In order to shelter her sister, Sakura stepped forward and reported the crime to the police on her behalf.
In fact, the U.S. military's vicious rape case is not just this one. However, in the face of the US military's strong public opinion manipulation, female reporters can do nothing even if they perceive the truth.
She wrote an investigative story trying to advocate for Sakura and other victims, but eventually the report was tampered with and the sexual assault case was still exploited in political battles.
Sexual assault cases, political struggles, historical legacies... This drama seems to involve many grand social issues, but in fact, it is not intended to unfold a grand narrative.
At first glance, the title "Fence" seems to explore the delicate relationship between Okinawa and Japan. In reality, however, it takes a deeper look at the plight of the individual. Female journalists and Sakura, trapped in insurmountable gender, society, and politics, lost in layers of identity, seek true freedom but are out of reach.
In addition, there is actually an invisible fence between people. Each of us lives in seemingly invisible bondage, scrutinizing each other, hurting each other, and building invisible barriers for each other.
Through the revelation of these invisible fences, this drama makes us think about how to cross these seemingly insurmountable boundaries and achieve spiritual liberation and growth.