Tokyo, Japan
A Japanese news anchor has lost her job and is facing intense backlash on social media after uploading a post in which she spoke about how difficult it is to "endure" the body odour of men and suggested that they need to shower more.
Tokyo-based freelance announcer Yuri Kawaguchi is known for her feminist outlook. The 29-year-old also works as a lecturer for harassment prevention training.
Taking to social media platform X on August 8, where she has around 13,000 followers, she raised her concern regarding men’s hygiene in summer, while asking them to take showers and use deodorant.
“I’m really sorry if there’s a personal situation, but the smell of men in the summer or the body odour of unsanitary people is so uncomfortable,” said the anchor.
Also Read: Good news for IT workers! Tech jobs set to surge in 2025, dataset suggests
“I want to be clean, so I take several showers a day, use freshening wipes, and apply sweat inhibitors year-round. I think more men should do this," she further wrote.
Some of the people said that the post of Kawaguchi was specifically targeting men and accused her of gender discrimination.
“Only blaming men is infuriating and undoubtedly discrimination. Women, especially older women, can have body odour too. I’m really uncomfortable with this,” wrote a male netizen.
Some even called her a “materialistic woman out of touch with the struggles of ordinary people.”
Anchor apologises for the comment, removes the post
After the controversy broke out, the anchor issued a public apology and pulled down the post on August 11.
“This time, because of my careless remarks, many people were upset and hurt. I will deeply reflect on this. In the future, I will work hard not to hurt anyone with my remarks. I am really sorry," said the anchor.
However, her agency, Voice, terminated her contract, while accusing her of “defamation of the honour of the opposite sex”.
The company which hired Kawaguchi as a lecturer also cancelled her contract.
However, the terminations of her two contracts were criticised by Japanese netizens, who called it “too extreme”. This also started a debate on whether what she said was right or wrong.
Watch: Financial struggles of India's gig workers
“A woman asks men to be tidy and maintain decorum, yet it triggers outrage. It just shows that Japan has been a male-dominated society for too long. No matter how dirty men are, as soon as a woman complains, they punish her,” wrote a person.
“Those who criticise her are probably just smelly men themselves. I’m a man, and I cannot stand the stench of other men – it’s just so gross,” commented another.
“If you’re not smelly, why would you feel offended by the post? If you’re clean, there’s nothing to defend,” said a user.
“Why are Japanese men so sensitive? They cannot handle a bit of criticism. Women are expected to maintain beauty, cleanliness, and fitness without complaint, yet men face no such expectations. If that isn’t gender bias, then what is?,” a third person quizzed.
(With inputs from agencies)