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Broadcaster apologizes over program insensitive to gender privacy

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33 Comments
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The uproar means Japan is becoming more tolerant. That said, are we in a tiny, rural American town in the 60s?!

1 ( +11 / -10 )

oh boy people are way too sensitive these days.

-13 ( +16 / -29 )

Why the hell would you care what kind of Plumbing your regular customer has? Now you've lost a customer

20 ( +22 / -2 )

Why can’t you ask someone's gender? The person can choose not to answer.

-5 ( +12 / -17 )

I guess it would depend on how they’re asked.

9 ( +13 / -4 )

Perhaps it wasn't just the questioning, but all the inappropriate touching that got them into trouble. As mentioned above, you can ask and the person can refuse, but start to lay a hand on them, and it is assault.

But, all I could think of when I first read the article was the old SNL skit featuring "Pat" played marvelously by Julia Sweeney. https://youtu.be/Y6PcTOKSP0A

8 ( +9 / -1 )

Koji Wakaichi, a writer who appeared on the program as a commentator, criticized the broadcaster for "lacking sensitivity to human rights."

Just curious, did this writer make the comment during the program or afterwards? Also why not name the "comedy duo" here?

10 ( +12 / -2 )

"Comedy duos" in Japan aren't really known for their intelligence or sensitivity, so I don't think that we should be too surprised that something like this happened. Doesn't make it right, though.

12 ( +14 / -2 )

As "Gender Mis-naming" is such an issue nowadays just how does one find out the correct way to address someone without getting into such a diabolical situation?

-5 ( +3 / -8 )

This reminds me of an episode i watched on an old program that ran on TV Asahi called 聞きにくいことを聞く or "ask what is hard to ask", or "ask a difficult question". A guy with a mic goes to the streets and interviews random people and then asks them hard questions. On one episode, the guy asked a girl "can you introduce us to another girl that is uglier than you?". Together with her, they went to meet that "other girl", and told her that her friend thinks she is uglier than her, then asked her to do the same for somebody else. They showed at least 5 different girls each supposedly uglier than the other, and the end, the last girl said she couldn't think of anybody, and "conceded" that is "the ugliest". I felt sorry for them, but at the same time it was funny as hell and, even if i hate to admit it, the ranking was so accurate.

Japanese people are more concerned with norms rather than having consideration for others.

9 ( +11 / -2 )

Man life is GOOD!

This is what news in Japan is today?

-4 ( +6 / -10 )

As "Gender Mis-naming" is such an issue nowadays just how does one find out the correct way to address someone without getting into such a diabolical situation?

Not caring is a start.

6 ( +11 / -5 )

"We deeply apologize to viewers and the parties concerned. We take the matter seriously and will implement appropriate measures to prevent similar incidents from happening again," the Osaka-based company said.

So, they are sorry now, but didn’t care before airing the program.

9 ( +10 / -1 )

are we in a tiny, rural American town in the 60s?!

It often feels that way, reading the comments on this site.

14 ( +16 / -2 )

This was obviously a skit though, nothing on Japanese TV goes through without everyone signing a release contract and being heavily prepared in advance. I highly doubt they just found some random person and harassed them without permission.

-9 ( +3 / -12 )

when I was looking for real estate in my current location in Chiba-ken I was browsing the wares displayed in a fudōsanya window, the real-estate woman came out, first thing out of her mouth was "you a man or a woman?" (my style being not entirely conventionally male).... never occurred to me to be offended... answered her, then proceeded to buy a condo from her... she was brusque, but together, and she went the extra mile. people do get touchy these days....

-8 ( +5 / -13 )

"you a man or a woman?" (my style being not entirely conventionally male).... never occurred to me to be offended... answered her,

And that's understandable, assuming that she didn't also poke around your private parts AND ask for ID for confirmation.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

Now you've lost a customer

likely more than one.

7 ( +8 / -1 )

Don't touch, berate or make customers feel uncomfortable. Always a good start, I find.

11 ( +11 / -0 )

"lacking sensitivity to human rights."

Yeah, this sounds more like Japan! Sums it up in a neat "kawaii" ball!

2 ( +4 / -2 )

Yeah, this sounds more like Japan! Sums it up in a neat "kawaii" ball!

It's very poor behaviour, for sure but I'm still optimistic that this does not represent the warmth and decency of the Japanese people.

It's crass television, at best.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

Toasted Heretic Today 02:18 pm JST

It's very poor behaviour, for sure but I'm still optimistic that this does not represent the warmth and decency of the Japanese people. It's crass television, at best.

No one person represents all of Japan, obviously. And seeing as how the commentator called out the comedians for their behavior and the broadcaster apologized, it's safe to say that we are beginning to see positive steps forward.

However, to get a bigger picture of how LGBTQ are treated in Japan, you should ASK us for our stories. But only ask if you really want to know, because after hearing all the stories of parental rejection, abuse, and discrimination, you may wish you could continue to keep your head in the sand.

6 ( +7 / -1 )

However, to get a bigger picture of how LGBTQ are treated in Japan, you should ASK us for our stories. But only ask if you really want to know, because after hearing all the stories of parental rejection, abuse, and discrimination, you may wish you could continue to keep your head in the sand.

I want to hear all our stories. And I commend anyone who comes forward to tell our experiences, knowing that they will be dismissed or told they are too "sensitive" etc.

I could tell you of the times when I was more open and revealed a little bit of personal information. Stupid move on my part. I can't even explain here, as the post will be deleted but it was pretty upsetting and constant.

Unfortunately, there are those who cannot see what the fuss is all about and make light of ongoing discriminations and unwarranted attacks.

This example on the programme is but the tip of an iceberg. Sadly.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

I sometimes ask my japanese partner if that is a man or woman? I can’t see a problem with that. But the age thing...why tv anewspapers have to state people’s ages?

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

I sometimes ask my japanese partner if that is a man or woman? I can’t see a problem with that.

Yes but you're not poking at them or making fun in their face.

Agree with the age thing. Not sure what the relevance is.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

long replies that go on and on are one of the main reasons why i gave up on the lgbtq movement. i just dont have the time.

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

WHO CARES???

What a load of fuss about nothing!

-4 ( +1 / -5 )

Madmanmunt

You had 3 sentences to say something constructive...but you chose to run out of time.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Wow, Japan is getting faster. It used to take 15 years for social trends from the US to catch on (non-smoking sections, skeu-hara hoopla).

The gender thing has only been triggering and offensive in America for like 5 years.

-4 ( +1 / -5 )

CaptDingleheimerMay 13 10:11 pm JST

Wow, Japan is getting faster. It used to take 15 years for social trends from the US to catch on (non-smoking sections, skeu-hara hoopla).

The gender thing has only been triggering and offensive in America for like 5 years.

This sounds like you believe that Japan worships the US and slavishly follows along mindlessly without any ideas of its own.

Do you not know that Japan is an independent country with its own traditions and beliefs, and changes in society take place at its own pace and on its own terms?

You must really think badly of Japan.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

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