Death of popular Japanese fighter unleashes cyberbullying criticism

Tokyo, May 25 (efe,-epa).- The death of popular Japanese professional fighter Hana Kimura, criticized by some social network user during her time on reality show “Terrace House,” has raised a wave of reactions against cyberbullying, to which the Japanese government spokesman added Monday morning.

Although the reason for her death has not been officially announced, Kimura, 22, published on social networks the same Saturday in which she passed, a photograph of her with a cat, accompanied by a message that said: “I love you. Have a long and happy life. Sorry.”

As sources close to the case confirmed to local agency Kyodo, Kimura was subjected to cyberbullying during her participation in the current season of the internationally popular Japanese program “Terrace House,” distributed by streaming platform Netflix.

“It is important to instruct internet users that they should not make offensive criticism and slander,” Japanese Cabinet Chief Yoshihide Suga said Monday, when asked at a press conference about this death.

Suga said the regulation of offensive comments is the responsibility of the providers of the social networks themselves and added that the Japanese Executive formed a task force last month to “take appropriate measures” against Internet violations.

Since the Japanese women’s wrestling league Stardom reported the death last Saturday, condolences and support on social networks towards the young woman have multiplied.

“You all have to wake up … These are real people. Not just characters in a TV series, movie, or whatever. Tragic. Rest in peace, Hana. You left too soon, ” WWE pro wrestler Dakota Kai tweeted.

Stardom, who in Sunday asked for respect and time to “process things,” defined Kimura as “fun, charismatic and truly kind.”

“Hana is surely looking down and smiling at all the love. Be kind to each other,” said the message posted by Stardom social media accounts.

The official account of “Terrace House,” a successful program with several seasons of which Kimura was still part, expressed condolences to the family on Twitter and announced that the premiere of the next episode, scheduled for Monday, would be canceled.

The development of new episodes of the program, where six young people live in an apartment and study the relationships between them, was already stopped due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which led the participants to return to their homes. EFE-EPA

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