Politician Apologizes For Saying Anime Influenced Japanese Serial Killer

It’s hard to escape all the bad news these days. With technology at our fingertips, social media [...]

It's hard to escape all the bad news these days. With technology at our fingertips, social media and news organizations can inform the world about another tragedy in second, but otakus will not stand by if any politician disses anime recklessly. Ichita Yamamoto had to learn that the hard way.

Earlier this month, the Japanese politician stirred controversy when he released a statement about serial killer's recent arrest. Yamamoto, who is a member of the House of Councillors, appeared on Shin Hodo 2001 to talk politics. It was there Yamamoto asked if 27-year-old serial killer Takahiro Shiraishi was influenced in any way by video games and anime.

During the program, Yamamoto said the mediums can influence people to turn to crime as they blur a line between real and fictional worlds. The politician said serial killings like those Shiraishi committed are depicted in anime too often, and Yamamoto went so far as to say online surveillance could help prevent such crimes before they happen.

After the politician's critique went viral, Yamamoto posted an official apology for connecting anime and gaming to criminal behavior (via ANN). The politician said he doesn't mean to excuse his "verbal" slight, but Yamamoto does believe his actions were very inappropriate. The apology explains that Yamamoto immediately regretted what he said on the political program and that he is actually a big fan of anime and manga.

Of course, netizens were not too surprised to hear Yamamoto speak out against anime when his first comments went live. After all, the world has pointed blame at various anime titles for their gratuitous violence. Series like Death Note have been repeatedly criticized for their murderous stories while others such as Tokyo Ghoul have been banned outright in various countries.

What do you make of the controversy? Do you think Yamamoto spoke too soon, or are could there really be some sort of connection? Hit me up on Twitter @MeganPetersCB to let me know and talk all things anime!

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