Hana Kimura, Terrace House, and Japan
I can’t sleep with all this thinking and crying and thinking about this needless tragedy. Time to break it down and rest for the day. Trigger warning for cyberbullying, self-harm, suicidality.
Official intro: A 22-year old, half-Cambodian half-Japanese female pro wrestler who joins Terrace House in episode 30 of the 2019/2020 Tokyo season. Her mother is also a pro wrestler.
What happened: She passed away on 5/23/2020, official cause is not announced but suicide is strongly suspected based on her final 24 hours of social media posts, which respond to the torrent of criticism on social media directed towards her after recently aired drama.
Cute, bubbly, super smiley
Innocent, naive, inexperienced at relationships
Bold, straightforward, ambitious, proactive
She recently was self harming
Minimal social contact as her work life was on hold due to coronavirus (wrestling, terrace house)
2. What is Terrace House?
Premise: An “unscripted” Japanese reality TV show following 6 young cohabitating housemates, typically 3 males and 3 females.
Content: The camera crew comes to film a few times a week, pull out juicy clips, get commentary from their 6-person (now 5-person) host panel, then air select segments in the official episode. Some off-camera events are potentially reenacted on filming days. Some of the unused clips are published on the internet.
Host panel: They play out imaginative scenarios, coo over cute scenes, or skewer the cringey ones. In several instances they have tried to temper excessive social media criticism against certain housemates, such as Hana.
History: 11 seasons currently out, the latest 2019/2020 in partnership with Netflix. Followed and commented on very closely in Japan, with rising popularity abroad.
3. What were the cyberbullies saying??
I don’t follow Japanese Twitter and Instagram, and reportedly people have been deleting their posts out of fear for legal action.
At the end of the day she was just a girl who wanted to be liked -- and the antis attack anything in sight (short, well-built, dark-skinned, mixed race, wrestler, bold, outspoken, KY/kuuki yomenai)
4. What’s next at Terrace House?
They’ve suspended unaired episodes starring Hana -- these were supposed to start airing on 5/25/2020 on Japanese Netflix. This is out of respect for the family, and perhaps to protect against legal action.
A select few comments on Japanese Twitter say that the episodes should be aired anyways -- these types of people exist no matter where you are in the world.
5. Personal Rant: take with salt
Negligence: Despite intentions, management of Terrace House appears to be dangerously negligent, outdated, and insufficient when it comes to the health and perceptions of the housemates. It was only a matter of time before something happened, and it would be unwise to continue the show as is. I’ll be following the legal developments.
Inclusion: I can’t help but wonder if Netflix or the TH producers were pushing too hard for a diverse, boundary-breaking cast that mainstream Japan simply wasn’t ready for
Cyberbullying: occuring in a virtual and ethereal space where sticks, stones, and words can’t hurt the assailant and apparently there are no consequences for your actions. It needs to be criminalized if not penalized.
Misconceptions on suicidality: not specific to Terrace House commentators or Japan, but people may assume that those at risk for suicide are all sad, depressive, or even lethargic. There’s this glorified image of someone sinking into a bed of despair until they inevitably fall asleep, which is incomplete in practice. Suicide attempts seem to occur at a lowered threshold for suicidal ideation, combined with a catalytic event or excessive energy that prompts action -- someone like Hana could have red flags CONCURRENTLY with her smiley, bubbly impression. For another crude metaphor, it’s like a rubberband snapping.
6. Last Rant: Japan is a real, live country.
You can love the country/culture WITHOUT keeping it on a pedestal. Not here to nitpick on Japan, just to list a few weaknesses to balance out the strengths (which seem to be exclusively reported on abroad)
Racism: They’re relatively insular but not as homogenous as some people think, and there is certainly an element of ethnic pride. Ie) Being mixed-race in Japan is associated with childhood bullying.
Feminism: Arising from traditional culture and language, female equality in Japan is currently not a role model to follow. Won’t say more, there’s also a ton to unpack here.
Politeness: Compliance with social standards doesn’t mean there aren’t any poisonous thoughts, ready to manifest in places like social media.
Science: Especially in light of the recession, many are concerned that torch of innovation has long been passed to neighbors like South Korea or China.
Another fun fact that I came across in my work: Japan only allowed live-organ donation as of 2010 (with many restrictions, despite severe organ shortage). Not a pick for world-class.
7. Suicide Hotline Numbers (copied)
If you or anyone you know are struggling, please, PLEASE reach out for help. You are worthy, you are loved and you will always be able to find assistance.
Argentina: +5402234930430
Bosnia & Herzegovina: 080 05 03 05
Bulgaria: 0035 9249 17 223
Canada: 5147234000 (Montreal); 18662773553 (outside Montreal)
Hong Kong: +852 2382 0000
United Kingdom: Various recources
You are not alone. Please reach out.
