A Tokyo-based television news anchor has been fired from her job and faced online criticism after a controversial post on social media in which she criticised men’s hygiene habits. South China Morning Post (SCMP)Yuri Kawaguchi, 29, is a freelance announcer known for her feminist views. She also works as a lecturer on harassment prevention. She faced strong criticism online when she claimed that men’s body odor is difficult to bear and suggested that they should bathe more often.
According to the outlet, in a now-deleted post on X (formerly Twitter), Ms Kawaguchi expressed her frustrations about men’s hygiene during the hot summer months. “I’m really sorry if this is a personal situation, but men’s body odor or dirty men’s body odor is very uncomfortable in the summer,” she wrote. She advised men to shower more often and use deodorant.
“I want to be hygienic, so I shower several times a day, use freshening wipes and wear anti-perspirant all year round. I think more men should do that,” the 29-year-old said.
Ms Kawaguchi’s post was seen as discriminatory against men, sparking outrage from many online. One social media user wrote, “It’s infuriating and obviously discriminatory to blame only men. Women, especially older women, can have body odor too. I feel really uncomfortable with it.”
Her posts also scrutinised her personal life, including her divorce. She was labelled as “a materialistic woman who is out of touch with the struggles of common people.”
As the controversy grew, Ms. Kawaguchi publicly apologized and deleted the post. She said, “My careless comments this time have upset and hurt many people. I will reflect on this deeply. In the future, I will try my best not to hurt anyone with my comments. I am truly sorry.”
However, the apology did not calm the uproar. VOICE, the agency that manages Ms. Kawaguchi, announced it was terminating her contract, citing “defamation of the dignity of the opposite sex” as the reason. In a statement, the agency said it had received numerous complaints and emails, and stressed that it is against its principles for a professional to use language that harms and causes discomfort to others.
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Another firm that employed the anchor as a lecturer for harassment prevention education also terminated her contract. But both these companies’ decisions were criticised by Japanese netizens as “too extreme”. While some said the 29-year-old’s dismissal mirrors the challenges women face in Japan’s male-dominated society, most were not as kind.
One person wrote, “A woman asks men to clean up and maintain manners, yet this causes resentment. This shows that Japan has long been a male-dominated society. No matter how dirty men are, as soon as a woman complains, they punish them.”
“Why are Japanese men so sensitive? They can’t handle criticism. Women are expected to maintain beauty, hygiene and fitness without complaint, while men are not expected to do so. If this isn’t gender bias, what is?” another said.
