[Exclusive] Inside Seiji Chihara’s Thoughts on the Backlash That Set Social Media on Fire

“At the time, I didn’t like him, but now I don’t feel anything toward him.”

Comedian Seiji Chihara (55), whose bullied kid comment toward Yusuke Kawai (44) — a member of the Toda City Council in Saitama Prefecture known as the “Joker” — sparked controversy, spoke publicly about the issue during political journalist Akiko Iwata’s talk event held in Tokyo on September 19.

The comment that triggered the backlash came in July, during Chihara’s own YouTube program, where he invited Kawai to discuss the Kurdish community issue in Kawaguchi City. During the discussion, Chihara suddenly said:

“You were a bullied kid, weren’t you?”

“You’ve got the aura of a bullied kid, seriously. You were a bullied kid, right? Hahaha!”

The video remains online and, as of September 24, has been viewed about 1.73 million times. Meanwhile, Chihara’s subscriber count dropped from 513,000 before the video to 481,000, meaning roughly 30,000 followers unsubscribed within two months.

During the talk with Iwata, when the topic turned to dislikes about co-stars, Chihara, without naming names, said:

“Even with the person I’m having trouble with now, I didn’t like him at that moment, but I don’t feel anything toward him now.”

He explained that it was only a temporary emotional reaction during the exchange, not genuine dislike toward Kawai.

However, that momentary outburst — calling Kawai a bullied kid — ended up costing Chihara dearly.

A talk show at a boat race venue was suddenly canceled

The day after the video with Kawai was released, updates on Seiji Chihara’s YouTube channel came to a halt. On August 31, his regular radio program “Daiun & Seiji’s Monk Radio” (KBS Kyoto) also came to an end.

Furthermore, a talk show scheduled for September 12 at the Suminoe Boat Race Stadium in Osaka City was abruptly canceled. When contacted by this outlet, the venue responded, “We canceled the event due to various circumstances.”

“He’s mentioned the controversy with Kawai during other talk events, but he still hasn’t made any public apology or clarification. The agency is reportedly concerned that the ongoing controversy is beginning to affect his work. It would be wise for him to issue an apology or at least some kind of statement soon,”

said an entertainment reporter from a sports newspaper.

At the end of journalist Akiko Iwata’s talk event, this site approached Chihara directly.

— Your talk show at the boat race venue was canceled. Has the ‘bullied kid’ comment started affecting your work?

“Not at all. I’ve got a stage performance tomorrow.”

— Do you plan to issue an apology or explanation?

“I don’t know.”

Whether it’s part of his persona or genuine confidence, Chihara maintained his defiant attitude. Will he continue to stay silent about his bullied kid remark?