Chihara Seiji’s Show Ends After Backlash Over “Bullied Kid” Remark
“Daikun & Seiji’s Monk Radio” ended on August 31
Chihara Seiji (55) of the comedy duo Chihara Brothers had been a regular on KBS Kyoto Radio’s program Daikun & Seiji’s Monk Radio, which on August 24 announced:
“This time, although sudden, Daikun & Seiji’s Monk Radio will end with its broadcast on August 31. We have received various opinions about the program from radio listeners and YouTube viewers. After deliberation by KBS Kyoto and the production committee, we have reached the conclusion to end it.”
Announcing the end just one week before the final broadcast inevitably felt abrupt.
“This program featured Daikun Miki, chief priest of Renkūji Temple known for Kaidan Setsuhō (ghost story sermons), and Seiji Chihara, who was ordained as a monk, answering listeners’ life consultations as a ‘monk duo.’ Blending ghost stories and Buddhist thought with humor and sermons, it gained popularity as a ‘life philosophy program.’ Although it ended once in late September last year, strong listener demand brought it back as a regular broadcast on January 5 this year. Still, it’s hard to see this sudden end as unrelated to that issue.” (Sports newspaper reporter)
“That issue” refers to the July 18 YouTube video on Seiji’s own channel Seijin Toko, in which he held a discussion with Kawais Yūsuke, a city councilor of Toda, Saitama.
During the talk, themed on “foreign resident issues,” Seiji got into a heated exchange with Kawai and sneered:
“You were a bullied kid, weren’t you? Yeah? You’re from a bullied-kid background! Hahaha!”
This derisive remark exploded into controversy, after which Seiji stopped updating his YouTube and social media entirely.
On August 20, he appeared as a guest on location for Sekai Kurabete Mitara★ Summer Vacation Amazon vs. Africa Independent Research SP! (TBS). Shōei went to the Amazon, while Seiji went to Africa. Although broadcast after the uproar, the Africa shoot may have been recorded beforehand.
Once the show aired, harsh comments appeared on social media:
“Since Seiji is on, I’m dropping Sekai Kurabete Mitara.”
“I hate Seiji, so I’m changing the channel.”
“It is one factor, but…”
Even so, has the ripple effect of the “bullied kid remark” really spread to the point of canceling a regular radio program?
“This radio show was based on monks taking the position of Buddhist priests to listen to and advise ordinary citizens about their life problems. Since Mr. Seiji made remarks that mocked bullied kids, the station likely judged that listeners would not accept him. They could have cut the program sooner, but one factor was that Mr. Miki, a genuine chief priest, was his ‘partner,’ so that required consideration. Another was that the program had already scheduled its event Bou-fami no Tsudoi! for August 23. Tickets had been on sale since June, before the ‘bullied kid remark,’ so they couldn’t cancel. That’s probably why they announced the termination the day after the event.” (TV station insider)
When asked about the program’s termination, KBS Kyoto, which aired Daikun & Seiji’s Monk Radio, responded:
“There were various overlapping matters. It’s not that we ended the show solely because of that incident (the bullied kid remark). It was one factor, but there were many things, and we made a comprehensive decision. We informed those who attended the event on the 23rd. It’s not that the event delayed the termination or dictated the timing.” (Station representative, by phone)
“People who are being bullied, or who were bullied in the past, may still feel disgust toward Mr. Seiji. The fact that he has completely ignored making any apology also affects his image. Since there are people who could be hurt, I think the TV industry won’t make him any offers for a while.” (same TV insider)
Seiji, who had taken the Buddhist ordination of the Tendai sect, had been carving out a unique position as both comedian and monk. But the “bullied kid remark” now looks set to cast a shadow over his future career in entertainment.
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