Fuwa-chan faces industry backlash amid social media controversy

Despite these requests, she reportedly continued the behavior, leading some industry insiders to speculate that airing the footage might have been a form of punishment from the program’s side.

Japanese comedian and YouTuber Fuwa-chan has announced a hiatus from her entertainment career after facing intense criticism over inappropriate social media posts about a 25-year-old individual named Yasuko. The announcement was made on August 11, and since then, Fuwa-chan has stepped down from her radio show, and her appearances on various TV programs have been significantly reduced.

Despite her decision to take a break, Fuwa-chan has continued to attract negative attention. A notable incident occurred on August 18 during Nippon TV’s “Gyoretsu no Dekiru Soudanjo,” where all scenes featuring Fuwa-chan were cut. However, viewers noticed that while Ano-chan was speaking, Fuwa-chan was seen using her smartphone, sparking further criticism. This behavior, seen by many as disrespectful, was reported in internet news, reigniting the backlash against her.

An article published by a local magazine on August 21 highlighted that the “Gyoretsu” production team had repeatedly asked Fuwa-chan to refrain from using her smartphone during live recordings. Despite these requests, she reportedly continued the behavior, leading some industry insiders to speculate that airing the footage might have been a form of punishment from the program’s side.

A television station official expressed concern that Fuwa-chan’s return to the industry could be met with significant challenges. Her free-spirited behavior, including a tendency to be late, had been tolerated due to her popularity. However, with the recent controversy, it’s feared that her opportunities in the entertainment industry may drastically decline.

As Fuwa-chan reflects on her actions, the future of her career remains uncertain, with doubts about whether she will regain her former standing in the industry.