Concerns Are Constant ItteQ! Faces Backlash Over Content Changes and Limit Theory Speculation

Concerns were always present

The popular Japanese television variety show Sekai no Hate Made Itte Q! (ItteQ!) sparked controversy after suddenly changing part of its programming on February 2.

A segment featuring the comedy duo Ganbareuya filming in South Korea was scheduled to air, but just four hours before the broadcast, the official show’s X account posted the following message:

“Due to a confirmation issue with the filming location, we will be changing the content of today’s show.”

The broadcast that day was replaced with a best-of episode, and on February 7, the official X account provided the following explanation under the title “Regarding the Change in Broadcast Content on February 2, 2025”:

“The filming location for the South Korea segment of Sekai no Hate Made Itte Q! on February 2 was reported to be connected to the Unification Church, also known as the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification. As a result, we made an emergency decision to change the broadcast content.

Following this, we contacted the organization directly for confirmation, but we were unable to verify with certainty that they were not related to the Unification Church. After a thorough review of independent reporting and the current situation in Japan, we have decided not to air this segment in the future.”

In response to this incident, staff from the production company expressed that concerns had always been present.

“Within the network, some have said, ‘It was bound to happen.’ ItteQ! is known for going to the ends of the earth, and some of its projects involve endless filming trips, which are quite bold. In March of last year, there was a dispute involving Ayako Imoto (39) over her shoot in the Republic of the Congo and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where the embassy staff of the Democratic Republic of the Congo complained, saying, ‘This was not what we were told.'” (Production staff)