AL
JAZEERA NETWORK - FINAL SCRIPT TEMPLATE
Strand Title: WITNESS |
Programme Number & Title:
PG014934 Japan’s
Tattoo Outlaws |
Date of Transmission: 13
May, 2018 |
Script Version: |
Transmission date (known
or approx): |
Total Programme Duration
(mins:secs):25 min. |
Independent/Commission
Producer: Hyoe Yamamoto / Deborah Barillas |
Independent/Commission Producer
Contact Details: hyoe@vesuvius.jp
/ deborah@vesuvius.jp
|
Commission/Independent Production Company and
Address: Honmachi 4-49-13-301, Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan 1550071 |
Al Jazeera Commissioning Executive: |
Al Jazeera Commissioning Executive Contact
Details: |
Al Jazeera
producer/program editor: |
Al Jazeera producer/program
editor telephone number: |
AL Jazeera bureau: |
Instructions: Please use colour-coding when listing contributors and
sourced
footage. This will enable those elements to be more easily
compared and added to the PasC form. Narration – in CAPS Dialogue – in italics Correspondent to Camera, PTC – in plain text Names
and references as they appear in this transcript: |
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Time Code (10:00:00:00) |
Description of Scene |
Audio |
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10:00:00:00 |
Program Starts Location Strap: OSAKA JAPAN B-Roll – Streets
of Osaka and overhead shots of a paint palette and tubes. Taiki Masuda checks the color
of a paint on his hand. He begins to paint a wall. |
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10:00:22:21 |
Name Strap: TAIKI MASUDA TATTOO ARTIST |
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10:00:33:07 |
Taiki prepares his
paint tube and paints a wall. |
TAIKI: I began painting when I was 20 years old.
I couldn't draw at all, so I started practicing to become a tattoo artist. |
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10:00:54:14 |
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TAIKI: New School has always been
my favorite style. With New School, you can combine pop and traditional. It's
a freestyle tattoo genre where you can do as you
like. |
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10:01:13:06 |
Taiki shows his tattoo on his left arm. |
TAIKI: This
one here is New School. This baby is an inspired tattoo artist. That's why
he's holding a tattoo machine. Tattoo artists usually have tattoo machines on
them. |
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10:01:32:02 |
Taiki continues to
paint. |
TAIKI (VO): I can't
tattoo at the moment. But it gave me a chance to see things objectively. I realised how lucky I was to be able to pursue something I
love as a career. And my feeling for tattoo is growing even stronger. |
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10:02:05:09 |
Taiki’s drawings on
the wall at his apartment. |
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10:02:15:05 |
Fact Strap: In
2015, police in Osaka began cracking down on tattoo artists. A team of
detectives raided Taiki Masuda’s tattoo studio. |
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10:02:22:00 |
Taiki Interview Three Stills of Taiki
tattooing |
TAIKI: I opened the door. Five detectives were standing there. They came in
with a warrant and told me I didn't have a doctor's license and that I was
violating Medical Practitioner's Act. |
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10:02:46:04 |
Taiki Interview |
TAIKI: I had never been in trouble with the law. My mind completely went
blank. I was in a confused state. |
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10:03:05:20 |
Insert on Taiki drawing |
TAIKI: They confiscated everything I had and took me in for a testimony. I
was worried for my future. I was scared for a while. |
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10:03:24:07 |
Fact Strap: Several tattoo artists were charged and fined for
operating without a doctor’s license. Taiki was the
only one who refused to pay. |
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10:03:33:08 |
Stills of Taiki’s work Bug Strap: TATTOOS BY TAIKI |
TAIKI: My career was short, but I was determined to
pursue tattooing as a career and make a living out of it. |
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10:03:46:11 |
Taiki Interview |
TAIKI: There was no way I would accept the charge. So
I decided to take the case to the court. |
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10:03:58:10 |
Taiki walking up to the metro station |
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10:04:01:07 |
Fact Strap: Two years after the raid, the trial begins at the
Osaka District Court. Taiki goes to meet his legal
team. |
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10:04:10:11 |
Taiki on the metro car |
TAIKI (VO): It's a human rights issue for me. My
means of expression was taken away from me. My rights were violated. |
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10:04:36:10 |
Taiki meets his legal team |
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10:04:37:21 |
Story Strap: PREPARATION FOR OPENING STATEMENTS |
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10:04:44:06 |
Lawyers talk to Taiki |
MIKAMI: Just say that you have a statement to
make. |
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10:04:47:15 |
Name Strap: MICHIKO KAMEISHI LEAD COUNSELS |
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10:04:51:14 |
Lawyers
instruct Taiki |
LAWYER: Keep your statement in the pocket. So you
can take it out right away. |
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10:05:00:15 |
Name Strap: TAKASHI MIKAMI CHIEF COUNSEL |
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10:05:07:15 |
Michiko
instructs Taiki |
MICHIKO: Just start reading it. TAIKI: You mean after... MICHIKO: Take it from the top. LAWYER 01: You heard the indictment. Do you have
anything to say? TAIKI: I prepared a statement. So I will read it. It is the fact that I
tattooed my customers. However, I can't understand why my action is
considered as a crime. Unless I fight this case, my occupation will
cease to exist. That is why I'm standing here today. MICHIKO: You go around the table to get to the
witness stand. There won't be much space there. TAIKI: Go back the same way? MICHIKO: That's right. You sit back in the chair. Then
our opening statement. |
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10:06:11:14 10:06:50:15 |
Michiko
practices opening statement |
MICHIKO: Ten years after Taiki
has found his calling, he was implicated as a criminal. The future of tattoo
artists including Taiki and the survival of tattoo
culture are at stake. That's it. LAWYER 01: 22 minutes. MICHIKO: That long? Any thoughts? LAWYER 01: Social stigma thing works. [MUSIC CUE] Starts |
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10:06:52:20 |
Journalists
stand outside the Osaka District Court |
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10:06:54:15 |
Story Strap: FIRST DAY OF TRIAL
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10:06:59:13 |
Taiki and his defence team enter the court house in the
rain |
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10:07:13:12 |
Michiko Kameishi Interview |
MICHIKO: This was clearly the case worth fighting
for. But it was also clear that it could take a long time. I was certain the
case would go all
the way to the Supreme Court. |
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10:07:29:06 |
Insert of a
defence team outside the court house in the rain |
MICHIKO: The public discourse was going to play a
key role in this case. So I realized this was a huge task. |
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10:07:40:18 |
Michiko Kameishi Interview |
MICHIKO: I had to make absolutely sure that Taiki was willing to go through with it all. So I told
him if he's willing to see it through then I will help him. |
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10:07:58:09 |
Insert of a
press conference |
MICHIKO: By then he had already made up his mind and
his friends were also going to support him. So I approached my trusted peers and
asked if they would help me with this case. |
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10:08:15:07 |
Michiko Kameishi Interview |
MICHIKO: I told them I'm doing this for social
justice. It concerns everyone because it's about protecting and preserving
the rights for freedom of expression. It's a pro bono work. Can you help me? I
told them all that. |
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10:08:37:03 |
Insert of a
press conference |
MICHIKO: That was how six
of us came together to form a team. |
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10:08:54:02 |
Takashi Mikami Interview |
TAKASHI: The charge was the violation of Medical
Practitioner's Act. My thought was "What is Medical Practitioner's
Act?" Why would doctors be responsible for tattooing? It made no sense.
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10:09:11:23 |
Insert of
Stills – Taiki tattooing |
TAKASHI: Tattooing has never been a problem
legally. The crack down came out of nowhere. |
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10:09:20:15 |
Takashi Mikami Interview |
TAKASHI: So you have to be a licensed doctor to
tattoo. But why would anyone do that? |
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10:09:29:21 |
Insert of
tattooing |
MICHIKO: There is strong prejudice against
tattoo in Japan. It's deeply rooted in our society. |
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10:09:42:16 |
Michiko Kameishi Interview |
MICHIKO: So there's a feeling that tattoo
should be eliminated because many happen to dislike it. |
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10:09:50:14 |
Insert of
Tattoo Ban Signs |
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10:09:59:02 10:10:15:09 |
Michiko Kameishi Interview |
MICHIKO: So the majority is suppressing and
excluding the minority. That's what it feels like happening. Maybe that suits
well with the government. The same sentiment is perhaps shared with Japanese
public in general. I don't know. But I can't stand it. [MUSIC CUE] Ends |
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10:10:27:20 |
Taiki driving in a car |
TAIKI: I grew up around here. |
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10:10:44:16 |
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TAIKI (VO) : People still get in touch with me to get
tattoo. But for now I have to turn them down. |
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10:10:53:15 |
Taiki working as a janitor |
TAIKI (VO) : Since I stopped tattooing, I help my
mother with her business of building maintenance and cleaning whenever I can. |
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10:11:29:19 |
Insert of Taiki’s mother’s residence |
MIHARU: I said no. No way. I told him he can't
fight the case. |
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10:11:39:16 |
Name Strap: MIHARU MASUDA TAIKI’S MOTHER |
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10:11:44:18 |
Miharu Masuda
Interview |
MIHARU: My friends told me I was being
unreasonable. "Your son made a decision and you should support it,"
they said. "Your son will not change his mind just because you're against
his decision." And I said, "it's easier for you to say. He's my
son." So we got into arguments. Taiki doesn't
tell me things, so I didn't know what was going on. |
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10:12:17:15 |
Stills of Taiki Collecting petitions |
MIHARU: But he used my
address for petitions. And I was stunned because so many came in. I mean
every day constantly. |
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10:12:30:17 |
Miharu Masuda
Interview |
MIHARU: I realised that so
many people were supporting my son and his cause. Then I thought that was
really precious. I realised I had to support him. |
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10:12:51:09 |
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[MUSIC CUE] Starts |
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10:12:51:20 |
Shots of a
Save Tattooing event |
TAIKI (VO) : There hasn't been any laws or rules on
tattooing in Japan. So we want it to be recognised
as a profession. |
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10:13:12:03 |
Taiki explains on camera |
TAIKI: This is an opening party for a tattoo exhibition by
a group of artists. We're setting up a charity booth to get petitions signed. |
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10:13:25:15 |
Shots of
petitions being signed and Taiki at events |
A poster reads: “We Need
100,000 Petitions” |
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10:13:43:09 |
Save Tattooing
Meeting with Taiki and other artists |
ARTIST 01: The question is
how do we get other tattoo artists to be interested, come together, and organise. ARTIST 02: We have to throw
a party. For tattoo artists in Osaka. TAIKI: Is that going to
make them come out? ARTIST 02: That's an easy
excuse. TAIKI: I guess so. |
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10:14:09:07 |
More shots of
Save Tattooing Event |
TAIKI (VO): Through Save Tattooing, I hope to raise
awareness and reach people outside the tattoo community as well to inform
that the crackdown like this is just wrong. |
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10:14:26:17 |
Taiki Speaking at
ab Event |
TAIKI: We received a lot of support. And it's very encouraging for us. So we
want to give it our best shot. Thank you. [MUSIC CUE] Ends |
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10:14:44:15 |
Shots of a
shopping arcade and Taiki walking |
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10:14:56:11 |
Story Strap: SAVE TATTOOING FOUNDERS MEETING Taiki and two other founders check the comments on
website |
FOUNDER 01: Most of the comments are
negative as expected. COMMNETS read: "Just get a doctor's license."
"A doctor's license at least." FOUNDER 01: "No one will have problems if
tattooists ceased to exist." Yes. Sure. TAIKI: Except us. COMMNETS read: "Simply illegalize tattoo. Japan
doesn't need it." FOUNDER 02: I
don't understand where animosity comes from. Maybe they got bullied by
tattooed gangs. FOUNDER 01: They
don't like tattoos and feel that
it should be eliminated. They
are just personal opinions. FOUNDER 02: Very biased ones. FOUNDER 01: There
was a time when 90 percent of
the customers were gangsters. But that completely changed in the last 30
years. Now 90 percent of the customers are regular folk. But the state or
public is not aware of that fact. You've never tattooed gangsters right? TAIKI: No. Never. FOUNDER 01: I've run this studio for 8 years and no
gangsters ever came. TAIKI: I just can't understand why any
tattooists should feel indebted to gangsters [for the industry’s survival]. I don't belong in that
generation. |
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10:16:38:12 |
Shot of bullet
trains Location Strap: TOKYO JAPAN |
[MUSIC CUE] Stars |
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10:16:46:07 |
Taiki riding on a bullet train |
TAIKI (VO) : I wish it was over. It's not that I
wanted to fight this. I was cornered into a situation where I had no choice. But
I stand by my decision. No matter how long it may take, I'm determined to win
the case. |
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10:17:21:05 |
Taiki at a radio station |
TAIKI: I know there's strong prejudice. DJ: It's easy to focus on that. TAIKI: We just want to become legitimate. I know that in the past, it was associated
with criminal activities. It certainly was the case. But in this day and age,
the authority can't go around arresting us for not having a doctor's license.
So all we're asking is a legislative measure be in place. |
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10:18:04:10 |
Taiki at a radio station |
TAIKI (VO) : Before all
this happened, I was preparing to work abroad. My plan was to go to Canada. |
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10:18:12:17 |
Taiki at a TV station |
TAIKI (VO) : But my mom got very sick. I had to
cancel everything. If I should lose this case, my choice is to leave. It will
be difficult to pursue tattooing
in Japan. [MUSIC CUE] Ends |
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10:18:42:16 |
Shot of Osaka Location Strap: OSAKA JAPAN |
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10:18:49:10 |
Shot of a
building Fact Strap: After a trial lasting four months, Taiki and his legal team prepare for closing statements. |
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10:18:55:01 |
Taiki and his legal team go over his statement |
LAWYER 02: How did you study designing tattoos? TAIKI: I looked at tattoo magazines. LAWYER 02: You took ideas from the magazines? TAIKI: Yes. MICHIKO: What if the question is did you have any concerns at the time as an
artist? TAIKI: I was struggling because my designs tend to be similar to the work
of my favorite artists. MICHIKO: Because you were studying their designs, you were struggling to cultivate
your own style. TAIKI: Right. MICHIKO: So that's the question we should be asking. Then we move on to the
next one. You needed to study the work of other artists. But after a while, you
developed your own style. So you stopped copying their style. Your artistry
began to emerge. That's the story we want to hear from you. So we have to ask
the right questions. We have to keep rhythm. TAIKI: Yes. MICHIKO: Not you. You don't have to worry about
that. We really need to get the questions right. |
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10:20:38:22 |
The meeting
continues. |
LAWYER 02: When was the first time you tattooed
someone other than yourself? How old were you? TAIKI: I was 20 years old. LAWYER 02: On who? |
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10:20:58:16 |
Taiki’s mother shows off her tattoo Miharu Masuda
Interview |
TAIKI (OS) : My mother. MIHARU: I wanted to be his
first customer. That was why. It reminds me of so many thoughts and feelings.
I was a single parent, so my kids had to put up with a lot of things and I
wasn't able to spend enough time with my kids as they were growing up. Of
course, I want him to be able to tattoo again, as any mother would want. But
I don't know if he can win. Then again, it's also true that I'm hopeful that
things could change because he took a stand. Even if it's a little bit. I
sincerely hope so. [MUSIC CUE] Stars |
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10:22:11:11 10:22:12:20 |
Taiki walking to the court house Story Strap: DAY OF CLOSING STATEMENT |
TAIKI (V0): It's been two years. There's a ray of
hope. In the beginning, there was none. I was just scared. When we launched
Save Tattooing, we received many criticism and negative opinions. But as we
kept on going, bit by bit, our confidence grew. That's how I feel. Now I'm
standing on the starting line. I owe it to the people who supported our
cause. So this is just the beginning for me. |
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10:23:23:16 |
Taiki and his legal team walk into the court house |
TAIKI
(OS): As I stated in my closing
statement, tattoo is my life. That's all I've done in my life. |
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10:23:40:17 |
Taiki and his legal team at a press conference |
TAIKI: So for me, it's my life. [MUSIC CUE] Ends |
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10:23:53:12 10:23:57:04 |
Exterior Shot
of court house Story Strap: DAY OF VERDICT
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10:24:01:03 10:24:04:23 10:24:12:23 |
Shot of Taiki and his lawyers at a press conference Fact Strap: On 26 September 27, The Osaka District Court found Taiki
Masuda guilty as charged for violating the Medical Practitioner’s Act. Fact Strap: The ruling stated, “With tattoo treatment, medical
knowledge and skills are indispensable in order to comprehend the dangers and
carry out sufficient judgements and measures.” |
TAIKI: Thank you for coming to the press
conference today. We immediately appealed the verdict. It's regrettable. And
I can't accept it. I want my life back as a tattoo artist. We will continue
to fight. |
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10:24:52:05 |
Fact Strap: The appeal hearing is expected to commence in June
of 2018. |
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10:25:00:00 |
Program Ends |
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