The “Perspective” Behind the “Paper Crane Controversy” Between Hiroyuki and DaiGo: “What You Should Notice”

An unexpected controversy has arisen in Japan over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Hiroyuki Nishimura, a.k.a. Hiroyuki Nishimura, founder of the online bulletin board “2channel” and a businessman, and mentalist The controversy began when Hiroyuki Nishimura, founder of the online bulletin board “2channel” and businessman “Hiroyuki,” and mentalist DaiGo trashed the paper cranes made by a Japanese organization for Ukraine, calling them “useless” and “a nuisance.

On April 16, Hiroyuki wrote on Twitter

“It’s a shame to feel like you’re doing something good by doing something useless, like making 1,000 paper cranes.” Is it only me who thinks it’s time for people to understand that “it’s a shame to feel like you’re doing something good” like making 1,000 paper cranes?

In a YouTube video on March 17, he described origami cranes as “mysterious pieces of paper that are difficult to dispose of,” and called out those who are thinking of sending 1,000 paper cranes, saying that “their feelings are the first thing to be considered.

He said, “Our own feelings are the most important thing, so no matter how much trouble the Ukrainians are in, as long as they want to send us paper cranes, they are right to do so. I think they should receive the paper cranes.

He analyzed the situation. Mentalist DaiGo shared this sentiment.

On the 17th, he commented, “Hiroyuki is right, sending paper cranes to Ukraine is insane.
If you have time to do that, get a part-time job and send money overseas to Ukraine.
The fact that people in Ukraine are so grateful for these paper cranes is a uniquely Japanese cultural thing. What is this? Kindness that doesn’t understand the feelings of the recipient is just a nuisance.

The reason for this is to complicate the discussion.

Complicating the discussion was the incident in the Great East Japan Earthquake of 2011, when origami cranes were delivered to the disaster area and the victims were confused. Because of this, there are many voices on the Internet that agree with the two’s argument.

However, it is noticeable that some of these opinions overlook the important aspects of the news. Some people did not know that the cranes were sent to the Ukrainian Embassy in Minato Ward, Tokyo, by users of a labor transition support facility for the disabled in Saitama Prefecture.

This story made us keenly aware of the difficulty of reporting news. The facility was also shocked by the negative reaction.

DaiGo tweeted, “Get a part-time job and send money to Ukraine.

All of these support facilities are in financial straits and cannot afford it. But they still thought about what they could do, and came up with origami cranes. There may have been other alternatives, but I don’t know if we should just dismiss them. Also, since the facility was a labor transition support facility, it would have been difficult for them to get a part-time job.

He explains.

It is a dangerous phenomenon that many people take negative action based on the posts and clipped videos that have been spread without knowing these realities.

Hiroyuki also mentioned this on Twitter on March 19.

He said, “People have been saying since the earthquake 11 years ago that it is not good to send paper cranes to people who are in a situation where they can’t be happy.

He then added

I think that by using strong words, many people will know about it and it will reduce the number of people who do the wrong thing in the future.

He explained the true reason for his radical post. The tone of his argument seems to have been toned down somewhat.

The Embassy of Ukraine in Japan has not commented on the paper cranes at this time, but if they were to respond positively, the tone of public opinion would change. If Hiroyuki is so smart, he must have thought of that.

The Ukrainian embassy has been updating its Twitter feed frequently since the invasion. Some tweets thank them for the donation, others take up the Peace Memorial Concert. It would not be surprising if there is some reaction to the paper crane controversy.

However, whether it is origami cranes or money, both Hiroyuki and DaiGo are still heartbroken over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and wish for world peace. If this controversy can trigger a new circle of support, nothing would be more wonderful….