Last November, Japanese man Fukuta Kishimoto was arrested after making an online death threat against voice actress Yui Ishikawa. Recently, Kishimoto admitted his guilt when brought to trial for his concerning internet posting.
Specifically, Kishimoto confessed that he wrote and shared a threatening message on an online forum targeting Ishikawa. In the chilling post, he stated his desire to violently attack the actress by stabbing her with a knife.
Ishikawa is well known for providing the voice of the Mikasa character in the popular anime series Attack on Titan.
By acknowledging his role in crafting and sharing the threatening communication, Kishimoto took responsibility for his alarming actions.
His admission of guilt for the internet death threat closes this legal case, though broader concerns remain about the safety of public figures in the face of online harassment.
Fukuta Kishimoto Admits Guilt in Threatening Voice Actress Yui Ishikawa
When Fukuta Kishimoto first appeared in court to face charges for threatening voice actress Yui Ishikawa online, he plainly admitted his guilt. “I did it. There is no doubt about that,” Kishimoto stated, taking full responsibility for the concerning internet posting.
The prosecution highlighted the ongoing impact of Kishimoto’s threatening message on Ishikawa herself.
They noted that the popular Japanese voice actor is now living in fear, even being kept awake trembling at night, due to the violent nature of the online threat.
Given the severity of the psychological harm caused by his actions, prosecutors recommended that Kishimoto serve 1 year and 6 months in prison as punishment.
This proposed sentence aims to hold Kishimoto accountable for the distress he has inflicted through his admittedly threatening communication targeting Ishikawa.
The court will now consider the appropriate penalty to impose based on the circumstances of the case.
In contrast to the prosecution’s recommended sentence, Kishimoto’s defense team argued for more leniency in his sentencing.
They identified Kishimoto as a devoted fan of Yui Ishikawa’s work, claiming he had no real intention to harm the actress despite the threatening online post.
Pleading for a more merciful judgment, the defense emphasized that Kishimoto’s concerning actions stemmed from his enthusiastic fandom, rather than true malice.
They contended his harsh online statement resulted from misguided passion as an ardent admirer of Ishikawa’s voice acting talents.
Taking these factors into account, the defense urged the court to impose a less severe penalty on Kishimoto than the 1.5-year prison term suggested by prosecutors.
They advocated for sentencing that weighs his self-professed non-violent fandom against the distress caused by his online threat.
The final verdict on appropriate punishment for Kishimoto’s admitted threatening communication will be decided on February 9, 2024.
The court must now carefully deliberate the arguments made on both sides to reach a just outcome in this complex case.
Fukuta Kishimoto’s History of Online Threats
This threatening online post targeting Yui Ishikawa is not the first time Fukuta Kishimoto has faced legal repercussions concerning internet behavior.
Back in 2020, he received a summary order and fine of 500,000 yen after making murder threats on an online bulletin board.
On that previous occasion, Kishimoto’s violent threats were aimed at an anime director rather than a voice actor.
Despite already facing penalties for his dangerous online actions before, Kishimoto made the choice to post another threatening message in 2023.
His repeated conduct of using the internet to threaten violence against entertainment industry figures underscores a pattern of unacceptable behavior requiring intervention.
Given his history, the court will likely take a stern view of Kishimoto’s claims that his latest threats stemmed merely from overzealous fandom.
Rather than an isolated incident, his new admission of posting threats against Yui Ishikawa points to an ongoing issue with online harassment that requires an appropriately forceful response.
Kishimoto’s past summary order and fine apparently failed to deter his habit of making menacing statements online.
More About Yui Ishikawa
Yui Ishikawa is a prolific Japanese voice actress who has played starring roles in several popular anime series.
Earlier in her career, she was represented by the Sunaoka talent agency but now works under Mitt management.
Prior to becoming a renowned voice actress, Ishikawa worked primarily as a stage actress.
She has training and skills in classical ballet, jazz dance, and tap dance. Since 2007, she has voiced characters for radio drama programs as well.
Ishikawa’s breakout voice acting roles were as Mikasa Ackerman in the hit anime Attack on Titan and as the title character Violet Evergarden in the acclaimed series Violet Evergarden.
She has also voiced prominent characters in other anime like Gundam Build Fighters, Aikatsu, and Nier: Automata.
Her exceptional voice work has earned Ishikawa honors from the Seiyu Awards, a prestigious event recognizing achievements in Japanese voice acting.
She won Best Supporting Actress in 2014, and Best Lead Actress in 2021 for her starring role in Violet Evergarden.
