Japanese justice ministry cancels collaboration with Netflix dating show
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On August 21, 2026, Japan's justice ministry announced the termination of a collaboration with the Netflix dating series "Badly in Love," which profiles individuals from Japan's "yankii" or delinquent subculture. The partnership, which featured show participants on government-issued posters, was retracted following public backlash over concerns that the program glorified criminal behavior and caused discomfort to crime victims. The ministry's decision followed criticism of a specific Season 2 episode where a participant admitted to committing arson as a teenager. Despite the withdrawal of government support, the ministry stated the cancellation was not intended to discourage rehabilitation efforts, and the series will continue to stream on Netflix.
Consequences
The program will continue to air on Netflix without government association, maintaining its status as a top-ranked series in Japan. The ministry’s retreat suggests a high degree of government sensitivity to public perception regarding the representation of former criminals and victims' rights.
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