Catholics make up less than 0.5% of the population in Japan, where a handful of people have gone public as survivors of clergy sexual abuse. The global scandal has thus far concentrated on heavily Catholic countries. https://t.co/TCGN2hPuNa
— The Associated Press (@AP) December 14, 2019
During Pope Francis’ recent visit to Japan, Harumi Suzuki stood where his motorcade passed by holding a sign that read: “I am a survivor.”
Katsumi Takenaka stood at another spot, on another day, holding up his banner that read, “Catholic child sexual abuse in Japan, too.”
The two are among a handful of people who have gone public as survivors of Catholic clergy sexual abuse in Japan, where values of conformity and harmony have resulted in a strong code of silence.
But as in other parts of the world, from Pennsylvania to Chile, Takenaka and Suzuki are starting to feel less alone as other victims have come forward despite the ostracism they and their family members often face for speaking out