entertainment

Japanese reality show 'Terrace House' cast member dies

88 Comments

The requested article has expired, and is no longer available. Any related articles, and user comments are shown below.

© KYODO

©2024 GPlusMedia Inc.

88 Comments
Login to comment

Cyber bullies are disgusting pieces of filth.

RIP Kimura-san

34 ( +36 / -2 )

This is terrible news. A tragedy. This poor young woman.

While we don't know for sure how she died, the implications are clear. Being bombarded with violent, vicious words and ugly hatred all the time. Humans are monsters.

19 ( +21 / -2 )

She probably had issues long before this happened.

RIP.

-23 ( +23 / -46 )

How awful. So strong yet so vulnerable. I don't envy those who grew up and came of age in the era of social media and reality TV. There are very few people in life whose opinion should matter to us and none of them are random people online.

18 ( +19 / -1 )

Had to look her up.

She had her whole life ahead of her. Beautiful young lady. Sad for her, her family and friends.

4 ( +6 / -2 )

Hana Kimura was a beautiful soul. Her physical strength was remarkable and her naive vulnerability apparent during the episodes in which she appeared. More than that, she had a purity and innocence that was a joy to watch; however, I also worried about her as she crushed on others in the show only to find heartbreak.

Internet trolls all too often take things out of context and magnify offhand remarks that in past eras would have been forgotten before the end of the episode as there was no platform on which that sort of thing could foment.

How tragic that this wonderful young woman with so much to live for did not have someone in whom she could confide and who might have lovingly mentored her and consoled her through the abuse she suffered. My condolences to her family, her friends, cast members and the many fans who loved her. Rest in Peace.

4 ( +6 / -2 )

Yet another tragic example of how your words online can harm others.

I don't know much about Hana. But it's sad to hear of another young person who's life has been prematurely cut short.

RIP :(

2 ( +4 / -2 )

My wife watches this show. Just yesterday she asked me to watch the very same scene that caused the trouble. And a few hours later, the girl was dead.

The problem started when Hana got overly mad and attacked one of the guys because he didn’t realize there was a piece of (her) clothe inside the washing machine before using it, causing it to shrink.

I guess anyone who watches the scene might get the same impression: poor guy, why all this fuss over a piece of clothe?

By the way she attacked him, she had away more trouble going on inside her.

RIP.

1 ( +10 / -9 )

RIP Kimura-San.

3 ( +6 / -3 )

Just yesterday she asked me to watch the very same scene that caused the trouble. And a few hours later, the girl was dead.

It's gotta be more than one scene in a stupid show, well at least I hope it is. If it's all because of one scene, this young woman had some serious issues well before and no one caught on.

The problem started when Hana got overly mad 

To you! But evidently not to her, and maybe, just maybe, it was staged by the producers as well.

6 ( +11 / -5 )

This SUCKS! So much ahead of her, and to fall victim to bullying. This is what I really DESPISE about Japan!

-1 ( +8 / -9 )

RIP. I don't watch any of these shows, but bouts of depression and suicides have happened a number of times already among the participants of popular reality tv shows overseas, such as "Love Island". It is a known problem and the shows have a large duty of care for the people they expose to the public.

I do not like regular Japanese tv and it's focus on talento celebs, but at least they generally appear with a stage name and often a manufactured character, a mask they can hide behind.

4 ( +6 / -2 )

I'm sorry Hana made a choice to end herself, but that was her choice. While a portion of the fault lies with the nasty comments made towards her online, I still put the responsibility on Hana. She chose to do the show, she chose to be a wrestler, she chose to be a public figure, she chose to engage what was happening online and let that world control her life. Part of being a public figure is knowing some people have bad opinions and will use those opinions to mess with you for a reaction. Maybe her death will temporarily increase the amount of empathy on the web, but I doubt it, so knowing that I suggest people learn to compartmentalize their online and physical lives.

-10 ( +11 / -21 )

My wife and 2 teenage kids are quite shocked by this. They all watch terrace house and really liked Hana.

This has happened too in the UK with a program called love island. At least 2 suicides from that.

I just don't understand what drives people to write such hateful, spiteful messages.

Do they feel better afterwards??

Anyway Rest in peace ✌️

9 ( +10 / -1 )

Her emotions could certainly swing violently, as evidenced by that infamous Terrace House episode where she so vehemently attacked Kai.

But life often contains the occasional outburst, and she should be remembered for the love and kindness she displayed most of her youthful days.

10 ( +10 / -0 )

The problem started when Hana got overly mad and attacked one of the guys because he didn’t realize there was a piece of (her) clothe inside the washing machine before using it, causing it to shrink.

Most reality shows, and the vast majority of shows in Japan (especially on Fuji TV) are scripted, so I think the girl's family should 100% sue the producers of the show for having made her do what she did and ultimately cause her suicide.

And when she modeled her wrestling uniform--damn she had the best body. And her butt , when they showed her walking to the house in tokyo with her luggage right after Kaori left--woa! 

I'm sure she would appreciate being objectified by men on the internet even in death! (this is sarcasm)

-8 ( +5 / -13 )

Such tragic news. I'm wondering with her being a wrestler, if concussions and/or CTE played a role.

RIP Hana

4 ( +7 / -3 )

While it's probably true, folks shouldn't rush to call is a suicide. So who knows! A young life was lost and that is all we know!

-11 ( +2 / -13 )

Beta social justice warrior male.

Spoken like a true alt-right incel!

Is that what I was supposed to say? I don't really take offense to internet "insults", so I don't know.

-2 ( +8 / -10 )

It is all over the Japanese press that she committed suicide. Nobody really seems to question that.

7 ( +9 / -2 )

To you! But evidently not to her, and maybe, just maybe, it was staged by the producers as well.

Terrace House has to be the fakest "reality" show of all, when the members can freely go outside and also decide to "sotsugyou"/leave the show at some point, instead of being voted out. Hence the shock from the outcome of something we might all have thought had been staged.

Unfortunately finger pointing Japan is the worst place to commit any behavioral mistake/ rule transgression in public, where you can get viciously attacked/bullied non-stop over literally nothing.

Her emotions could certainly swing violently, as evidenced by that infamous Terrace House episode where she so vehemently attacked Kai.

Again, she was definitely facing a lot, Kai was sincerely apologizing while she was freaking out "dont you understand my struggle??" "what have I done to you??" and even belittling him with "as you cant make people smile in this house you will never be an artist" "you live your life wandering around so you wouldnt understand what hard work really means". Honestly, I got upset by her words, but would never waste 1 min. of my life leaving nasty comments on her SNS, some japanese have way too much time on their hands and so little going on with their lives.....

7 ( +11 / -4 )

Watched with wife and two daughters. It’s a bunch of people sitting around the house with endless: Tadaima and Okaeris. Kyo dou datta?

With no script, what happens next is all up to them."*

Not true. The lines may be flexible but the contrived plot tells the members what to do: go on a cafe date and come back late, rivals in the house look jealous.

10 ( +11 / -1 )

some japanese have way too much time on their hands and so little going on with their lives.....

You had better wake up if you think it's something unique to Japan! Yeah and codifying with the "some japanese" protects you from any negative comments right?

7 ( +12 / -5 )

It is all over the Japanese press that she committed suicide. Nobody really seems to question that.

@ gokai wo maneku .. .Are you hinting at another cause of death? On what basis are you questioning it after reading the reports which all clearly point to suicide?

Rest in Peace. The poor girl clearly had major issues - being in that awful reality TV environment magnified them.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

She was the most ‘real’ of all of them on that show. Like many others commenting here, I too had an aversion to this sort of show, but with Hanachan on there I could sit down and get sucked right into it as well. She had a sense of authenticity, vulnerability but was strong too. That’s why this news is so very, very tragic. Turns out 22 was too young to be able to deal with the barrage of couch critics that had to go on the attack. They can’t stand any form of real life confrontations so they do it while they are on their own, behind a screen. She, like any young person would, took it all to heart. Oh how easy it is to be a finder pointer ne....

Thought her infamous outburst was completely justified as the flakey fella on the receiving end needed a good kick up the butt. It takes real character to have it out like that and she had it, by the barrel load. There was a string of events that led up to the fiery scene that had to been seen and understood why it happened. If anything, I thought, Japan needs more of these often painful but necessary clashes. The guy in question was a sleeper, and she was trying to wake him right up,

An absolutely tragic end and something for the whole nation to mourn, contemplate and digest. Young people need support, she should’ve had more. RIP Young Lady. :( You’ll be missed.

7 ( +7 / -0 )

@"isoducky"

"While a portion of the fault lies with the nasty comments made towards her online, I still put the responsibility on Hana."

I'm sure your sweet, kind, positive and thoughtful insights are a real comfort to her grieving family and friends.

3 ( +8 / -5 )

She probably had issues long before this happened.

I disagree. Human beings simply are not built to easily process social media. Most normal people have a need for acceptance. Social media bullies are people whose voices we never would have heard in the past, when they stewed silently in their rooms. At best, a few might work up enough bitterness to actually write and post a letter, which would maybe never be read. Now, every little bit of spit they can dribble out is published for all to see.

For a public figure, that can mean torrents of spit, non-stop. For a young person especially, it can take a toll. I think all young people need education in this area, how to emotionally deal with cyber-bullies. It really is a new problem, and not something that's as easy to brush off as people say.

5 ( +9 / -4 )

... and maybe, just maybe, it was staged by the producers as well.

Absolutely scenarios are set up. These shows have writers. The actors are told to be hyper versions of themselves. But just like wrestling, the storylines may be contrived, but the consequences can be deadly.

Tech companies and their social media platforms doesn't care about humanity. They just unleash social drug after social drug. If you're a user of Insta, FB, Twitter etc, then you got a choice to make - get off them or continue supporting the real enemies of society. Any excuse why you can't get off them is BS.

8 ( +10 / -2 )

There had been comments circulating on social media criticizing Kimura's remarks and behavior during the show, the sources said.

Don't get so serious. It's a scripted program...

Most fearful is that those who think of themselves as onlookers unconsciously get involved in bullying. It's a mass (not social) psychological effect, in downside.

-5 ( +3 / -8 )

So many loser a-holes out there who get off on causing trouble and pain. Stay off anti-social media.

6 ( +7 / -1 )

Physically strong, mentally weak. R. I. P.

-9 ( +7 / -16 )

It's the people close to her who are left behind who have to suffer now. I hope someone will take care of Hana's cat.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Part of the problem is the Japanese culture, and another part of the problem is this younger generation that has grown up with social media.

4 ( +7 / -3 )

Huh. Something happened. A person is reported dead. No one has any facts. Other than the individual posted a picture of herself and cat, with an apology. Allusions to bullying, but no actual description of circumstance.

-4 ( +4 / -8 )

Terrace House - a tv show that pretends to be realistic but it,s not... for each participant selected, there were probably 10000 people that lost the spot to that person. in other words, a small group of “ perfect “ young ( and i mean young ) people that look better than you and with more interesting jobs / life experience than you. that is number one. number two, it ,s all scripted just like dramas are, the difference is that everybody ( including the viewers ) pretends it,s a show with normal people living their normal daily lives and that everything is spontaneous. it,s not. long story short, it,s fake pretty much. so what a waste. and how upsetting it is that this girl suffered because of that damn show. some cowards have too much free time on their hands and sometimes cyberbullying is the result. any kind of harassment is the worst but bullying in Japan in particular can be even more ridiculous, stupid and annoying, and we always wish people to be able to deal with that stupidity but it,s not easy.

3 ( +7 / -4 )

@Bungle

Reality shows, and the people who watch them, disgust me

Frankly, that comment disgusts me! I happen to like reality programs very much. (your attitude kind of is an illustration of what Hana had to go through. Hate)

I cannot stand horror, zombie or movies where the characters just have to kill as many people as they can, but I am respectful to their taste. I am sure someone else may find what interests you, disgusts them, but I hope they have good sense not to say so. It is called respecting different choices. You should try it. We cannot all like the same programs, but we can be respectful.

As for this tragedy, view it before making a decision. I have to admit, I did not watch this show very much. After I saw what happened I did watch some of it to find out what actually happened. And frankly, I could understand her blowing up to a certain extent. Her anger built up over that and there were other things which happened in the past that led to her explosion. That costume was very important to her, and it cost more than 100,000 yen. The reality is, if you live with other people, you gotta check the washer before you just throw your stuff in there. What he should have said that might have quelled the situation were simple.

I'm sorry. (not gomen, which is kind of a causal sorry.)

I'll pay for it.

I'll be much more careful in the future.

I was careless and it will not happen again.

But he didn't. He just stood there and said "gomen" a couple of times while Vivi was trying to make peace between them. This made Hana more and more angry, naturally. I wanted to tell him, "Man up, bro."

Now, while it is sad that she may have committed suicide, and that was her choice. She must have known that being in the spotlight means you have to deal with a lot of malicious trolls, but the reality is most people think they can handle it. They also believe that what they are doing is right and others will understand them as well. If not, they sure would not be doing them. Naturally, she felt the same way. But the reality is quite the opposite.

As for who is to blame, it is not Hana nor Kai. It is the trolls who hate on others. It can be very hard to deal with being attacked viciously by thousands and thousands of people. That can lead to a lot of people committed suicide. Please think about these people before you just lay into them.

Frankly, I am so sad to see that it was too much for her to take. She really was a beautiful girl. And so young. We really need to learn to respect each other so much more if we are ever going to fix this problem.

I will not be entertaining comments from here. I have said my peace.

0 ( +5 / -5 )

Oh, one more thing. Yes, she did go a bit overboard. That is what happens sometimes when someone will not man up, and they other person is angry. The anger builds and builds. She should have eased up, but her actions didn't deserve that much hate from people. I hope people will not attack him. He does not deserve what is happening to him now either.

Here is the video. And I am out. Have a nice day.

RIP Hana Kimura. Too young to die!

https://streamable.com/fvy4pj

5 ( +5 / -0 )

Terrace House is a weird show with a lot of Orientalist undertones. I don't like it as an Asian American.

-8 ( +3 / -11 )

Terrace House is a weird show with a lot of Orientalist undertones.

A Japanese show, made in Japan, with Japanese people, speaking Japanese, has "orientalist undertones".

Gotcha.

10 ( +12 / -2 )

I realize that suicide resulting in death is still death, but I think it needs to be made clear if she killed herself that she did indeed commit suicide. It is a tragic result, but choosing to take one's life is not quite the same as having your life taken by other means, and with the cause of the death being "bullying" and her saying "sorry", it sounds like it was suicide. It's a shame she could not have sought help and used her status to help others also suffering from bullying.

8 ( +9 / -1 )

She assaulted a guy who made a mistake and tried to apologize. If the roles were reversed that guy would have been roasted on a spit. That being said, I'm sorry to hear she committed suicide and my thoughts go out to the family. It sucks but hey, this is the cancel culture that's been all the rage these days.

3 ( +8 / -5 )

Sad to think how people showed sympathy right after words damaged her emotionally. Surely she faced a lot of self doubts and other issues, she had too much to handle and lost faith in herself. She chose it. Stop blaming others or even point fingers (e.g to the show, or people who used to be around her) There are so much issues to be given attention and worth discussing. Leave the bereaved family peacefully mourn for her death.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

Exactly this. Any “normal” person wouldn’t give a toss what some random Internet blowhards think.

There's no doubt people can be very mean spirited online and it affects people in different ways. But a normal person isn't going to kill themselves over it. Many people want the easy answers and so will conveniently blame suicide on cyber bullying, instead of looking at the underlying issues that caused the suicide like rational adults.

Finally rich gets it. Anyone that watched the Terrace House Tokyo episode in question would realize Hana had some very serious underlying issues long before the show and her untimely death. A normal individual would not react in such a manner as Hana did. Someone mistakenly ruining your wrestling uniform isn't a reason to start crying hysterically in front of everyone, and then go on a violent rant where you cruelly cut down the person that supposedly ruined the uniform and slap his head before storming off. And the alleged 'cyber bullying' only happened after this episode was shown. So to blame cyber bullying for what happened after such a short period of time is illogical.

If people truly want to honor her memory, then they need to understand the underlying issues that lead to suicidal thoughts and how people can reach out to get help before it reaches the final step. Don't blame cop out excuses such as cyber bullying.

And down voting this post is not a proper response, feel free to disagree but at least state your opinion.

0 ( +7 / -7 )

Shocked and saddened. Hana seemed. to be a great person. Such a shame.

I now feel horrible at myself for wanting to see how the show and house members will handle this when the time comes. :/

0 ( +1 / -1 )

These reality shows prey upon vulnerable personalities most of whom are desperate for fame and acceptance at almost any cost and as such have fragile egos. They really should provide 24 hour care for the human beings they are exploiting and be held responsible if any suicides happen otherwise their shows should be closed down.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

@oldman_13

Your post is sensible and adult wise.

Some people will always have difficulty coping mentally with new life experience, whatever unimportant to other people's eyes it may be.

Physical appearance cannot help guessing who are mentally unstable.

If you have had suicidal thoughts, one needs (medical) help.

It happens a lot being strong on the outside and weak in the inside (I watched her last minutes on the show and I could sense it). Social pressure and/or meds can easily lead to suicidal thoughts. Careful.

For your information, suicide is still the leading cause of death for women age 15–34 in Japan (wiki).

RIP to her. She had great life opportunities. So sad.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

A few years ago, my brother-in-law hosted a Twitcast show which is basically like a Podcast for Twitter. It gained popularity and he was getting a tons of messages per day. You would have those that went overboard with their love for him. One lady sent a case of Yubari melons fron Hokkaido worth ¥100,000+. Then there were those sending him hate mail with those even telling him to kill himself. All of this craziness over a show talking about anime.

Yeah this show is about those looking for love. However, most use it as a stepping stone to get into show business. Many of them still appear on TV even after they left the show. As other members have left in the past due to crazy amount of hate. The show, if they aren't already, should be preparing the tenants for what may happen with the cyberbullying and threats. Another things celebs due to battle the hate is to delete their Twitter or Instagram accounts.

Oh yeah, I just heard after this news, people were going after those who bullied her on Twitter/Instagram. Many of them quickly deleted their accounts but not before their names and addresses were leaked on the Internet. Cyberspace is a cold place so people need to expect consequences to poor decisions.

8 ( +8 / -0 )

Young people need to know or get learned by the parents/adults/community that they just cannot be loved by everyone in this world no matter whether they are beautiful, or when praised or how they become nice to everyone.

If u think u are receiving such hate from strangers, then u first need to share with your loved ones.

Everyone has their own opinion. If u think u need to be loved by everyone just because u are so nice, then you are the problem of yourself.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

This is so sad, I hope she's in a better place now, rest in peace.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

@trimuph

I'm sure your sweet, kind, positive and thoughtful insights are a real comfort to her grieving family and friends.

Likely not as I'm just some random username on an English based Japan focused news site talking about a someone who likely wouldn't have made so much a blurb on this site unless something really good or really bad happened to her. Sadly, it was latter and not the former. And I know for certain that unless they (her family or close friends) know English or you would like to translate my post into Japanese, it is highly likely my opinion is not an issue of consequence. But hey at least it looked like you cared, right?

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

A Japanese show, made in Japan, with Japanese people, speaking Japanese, has "orientalist undertones".

Japan was notorious for pushing the Bushido myth as well as other Asian stereotypes from 19th century. Many Asians, now suffer from stereotypes and discrimination, are partially contributed by Japan's stereotyping propaganda. Japan was a backward country, so they need to create myths making them honorable in the eyes of European. Back then, they created the whole myth of honorable Samurai in 19th century or super ninjas in 20th century. White people think all Asians as Ninjas or something. Of course, all Asians are clean and super hygiene, etcetera....

Terrace House has been modified to carter towards Western audiences. It has to make certain assumptions as well.

-8 ( +1 / -9 )

This is so totally beyond me. I don´t understand why people watch these stupid reality shows, I don´t understand why these cyberbullies write personal hate messages, and I certainly don´t understand why someone would kill themselves over that.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Terrace house, terrible tv. Japan's version of jersey shore. No plots, no drama or excitement.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

Japan was notorious for pushing the Bushido myth as well as other Asian stereotypes from 19th century. Many Asians, now suffer from stereotypes and discrimination, are partially contributed by Japan's stereotyping propaganda. Japan was a backward country, so they need to create myths making them honorable in the eyes of European.

Or, maybe get this: they're Japanese, and they made something Japanese. In Japan. Because they're Japanese.

Your claims of 'orientalist undertones' is like complaining that Boys in the Hood had black undertones.

Um... you don't say...

4 ( +5 / -1 )

Terrace House has been one of the very few shows to promote Japan. Those who never watch it think it's another reality show where they have sex all the time and drink until they fall under the table. False

Show has been positive for Japan image. True

Foreign audience want to know how Japanese behave, date, socialize around one another. This show has been the only one to promote that part. True

The anti-Japan crowd hates anything that promotes Japan. If you can destroy Japan tomorrow they will cheer with happiness and joy. True

-5 ( +2 / -7 )

Who leaves a ¥100,000. important costume in the washing machine? The guy didn’t need to apologize but he half heartedly did anyway. Another victim of the heartless social media inc. and the hopeless people who watch it.

invalid CSRF

invalid CSRF

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Thought her infamous outburst was completely justified as the flakey fella on the receiving end needed a good kick up the butt. It takes real character to have it out like that and she had it, by the barrel load. There was a string of events that led up to the fiery scene that had to been seen and understood why it happened. If anything, I thought, Japan needs more of these often painful but necessary clashes. 

I agree. An outburst of pent up anger is completely normal and even justified especially when a series of other events piled up before the triggering event. Add the pressure cooker of the TV show itself and the haters on social media, it's a wonder that there isn't more high drama of that sort. Instead viewers mostly get carefully edited honne micro-expressions on a tatemae face.

People do not behave like therapists to each other, deal with problems or their resolutions by quietly and rationally resolving them. There's a difference between anger expressed to a person who has committed a wrong and is not offering sufficient evidence of contrition and anger that is constant and irrational. Anger is a often justified and a very useful tool in letting others know they've crossed a line.

I agree with a previous comment suggesting that the creators of the show bear some responsibility. They need to have the right support systems in place for the members of the house to decompress, to be advised and to ensure their mental health is stable. The people cast for the show are often very young (18) and navigating a lifestyle quite foreign to anything they've experienced before on a public platform. Even the older ones with some life experience have a good many naive expectations. They likely have little idea what could happen as result on account of their participation in the show or how much vitriol might be directed their way on social media.

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

Alexbeau that's why the show failed, they didn't have sex all the time. Nobody knows of this show outside Japan and even in Japan very few.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Nobody knows of this show outside Japan and even in Japan very few.

What are you talking about? This show was EXTREMELY popular in Japan, and had high ratings. Netflix picked it up, and it's been very popular around the world.

-4 ( +1 / -5 )

Yes she probably had issues but it should've never come to this. Cyber-bullying or bullying of any kind is inexcusable and it's a game for the immature who have no cred or cool themselves,

Suicide is not an answer either. Suicide is surrender. And it's sad that this young lady saw no other way out. The people who bullied her have no class at all, they are churlish scum.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

I miss the good old days when “reality shows” in Japan meant shows like Takeshi’s Castle.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

It's very sad for her. I did not know of her. However, all life is precious and respectful. She seemed like she had a promising career. We see the success of many of these celebrities. However, most of the time, this success is just the tip of the iceberg. We don't really see the dark side with the success, until sometimes, it's too late.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

David ClaroToday 08:59 am JSTIt's very sad for her. I did not know of her. However, all life is precious and respectful. She seemed like she had a promising career. We see the success of many of these celebrities.

It's a pity. Even if her days in the limelight were approaching twilight, her life had still just started. There could've been new avenues in life ahead - college, romance, a career doing something else (acting, singing, marine biologist, etc.), marriage, travel, old age. After the glitter faded and her Famous 15 were up would not have been 'the end' for but possibly a beginning.

After all, nobody remembers Miss America 1996 or Miss Ohio 1966 but they went on to fruitful successful lives doing whatever. Age 22 is only the beginning for many. It's a horrible time in life to die.

If anything good comes from this, I hope that younger people in her generation get help and not wind up like this woman did. I'm a suicide survivor. It's horrible and even now it sometimes makes me cry.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Some very strange comments on here, even more than usual. It seems this poor woman was half-Indonesian and a lot of the cyber-bullying was racist.

After she killed herself, the worst of the hate-mongers panicked and began deleting their twitter comments, changing their account names and so on. Apparently they were frightened of lawsuits from the girl's parents. That didn't stop some posting home-made vids actually cheering her death. Revolting. I feel really sorry for her and her parents. There are some really sick people out there.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

It's a terrible shame. For some people who are too sensitive to criticism, being offline as much as possible is probably for the best. You see this with online arguments where people get way too excited, including myself at times, but I'm not going to jump out of my window over it. This threshold to pain varies from person to person. Also, being an unknown person is less embarrassing than being a known person where everybody can see, read and evaluate comments . . . good or bad. No problem if people are saying wonderful things about you, but when they (especially the really nasty ones who take pleasure in it) rip you up with criticism it must be devastating to some people.

I guess if you notice a family member or friend getting to worked up about what they're seeing online, then it's best to tell them to turn off their laptop or I-phone and to simply ignore all of the noise.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

With all this technology, they should be able to discover in a minute, the people who were mentally abusing this girl. And make their names public.

I hope she has found her peace. R.I.P.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

With all this technology, they should be able to discover in a minute, the people who were mentally abusing this girl. And make their names public.

Then the internet can bully them into suicide too!

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

NortherLife: "She was a strong independant kid that had her whole life in front.of her."

I agree that there are a lot of cold people out there, especially online, where bullying can be masked by the internet (though as posters have pointed out, the people who posted for her to kill herself are now being hunted despite deleting their accounts -- you cannot TRULY hide if people want to find you), but if she was strong, if she was independent, why did she kill herself for being bullied about her performance on a show where the 'contestants' need to be on it to find love? If she had been strong, she would not have cared what others posted online, or at least, would not have killed herself. If she were independent, once again, she would not rely on the favor to others to live. Alas, she was truly neither when it came down to it, though perhaps, if she had chosen to live, she could have become stronger.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Strangerland: "Then the internet can bully them into suicide too!"

In an eye-for-an-eye Old Testament-style culture, sure, but not in a decent one. They deserve to be called out, and if there are any laws they broke they deserve to be punished. But deserve to be ridiculed until what happens to the girl happens to them? So, then, who does it to the people who then did it to them, and so on, and so on. What they deserve is to be punished if there is any punishment, talked to by professional therapists, and of course be banned from holding accounts on any social media platforms, or at least from being able to comment. And of course, we need to try and build a better culture of empathy, online as well as off. And before ANY of that the government and society need to PROPERLY address the issue of suicide, stop stigmatizing mental health issues, and offer realistic help -- no more AKB making posters of services that only operate once a week. No more so-called social welfare centers that take peoples calls or visits and reports the information to families, or releases victims back to families because they don't want to deal with any of it until there's a corpse they can deny.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Big fan of the show since its inception. I have watched every episode. It was a great way to introduce Japan to the world.

However, Kai had no stand-up skill at all (i would call it pathetic but he may be chuffed with that kind of evaluation), Hana-chan's reaction to the costume incident was OTT and the producers clearly have some kind of responsibility here.

It was an interesting look into Japan and conflict resolution that may yet work its way into their court system.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Japanese reality show 'Terrace House' cast member dies

"Dies" or commits suicide?

Is reporting facts no longer an option?

A healthy 22 year olds' death is not a usual occurrence.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

She chose it. Stop blaming others 

She was hounded into her grave. The blame needs to be apportioned to those who drove her beyond sanity.

Some people would stand up to the bullying better than others, but that does does not mean that others are not at fault.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

"Dies" or commits suicide?

Is reporting facts no longer an option?

She did die. Cause of death was suicide.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Maybe there should be a psychological check-up for entrants on these banal shows...

1 ( +1 / -0 )

They deserve to be called out

You start off with, then go on to say why that's bad:

if there are any laws they broke they deserve to be punished. But deserve to be ridiculed until what happens to the girl happens to them? So, then, who does it to the people who then did it to them, and so on, and so on.

This is why 'calling them out', which leads to vigilantism, simply propagates this bad behavior.

Which is why I made this ironical post:

With all this technology, they should be able to discover in a minute, the people who were mentally abusing this girl. And make their names public.

Then the internet can bully them into suicide too!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Maybe there should be a psychological check-up for entrants on these banal shows...

I don't know about Japan, but I know they do psychological check-ups for a least some reality shows in the US.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

My sincere sympathies to Hana's family, and her mother who I have met and seen wrestle a number of times. Very difficult time for all.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

How to solve cyber bullying. Reduce your online presence. spend more time in the real world instead of caring about the cyber one. I only post here and from time to time facebook to stay in contact with family back home.

Oh...and grow a pair and toughen up always helps.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Login to leave a comment

Facebook users

Use your Facebook account to login or register with JapanToday. By doing so, you will also receive an email inviting you to receive our news alerts.

Facebook Connect

Login with your JapanToday account

User registration

Articles, Offers & Useful Resources

A mix of what's trending on our other sites