This past weekend, we saw a media event which proved that “ignorance is a crime,” and that it is punishable by hindering your career and public scrutiny.
Obviously, we don’t expect pop stars to start engaging in a thought-provoking debate about history, but at least smart enough to not say something that causes a controversy, or at least their managers are.
Cute but dim Saki Nakajima
14 year-old Saki Nagima, one of the members of the all girl-band C-ute, sparked controversy when she appeared on a late night TV show, and introduced Hitler as “History’s Great Figure.” She was in charge of a segment where she introduces historical figure in a “light manner” within a classroom setting. She displayed her caricature of Hitler, and quickly explained what he did. Calling Hitler in a lovable moniker, “old chap Hitler,” she went on to explain how Hitler’s speeches were really eloquent, and that his speech rhythm is really relaxing. The program went a bit surreal when she did her own (imagined) impression of Hitler, followed by her 6 other co-members (who didn’t know better) doing the same. Although she did it in such an adorable fashion, as pop singers should, viewers didn’t let this one slide.
C-ute studying about Hitler
Yes, Hitler WAS a very eloquent and persuasive in public speech, and he has DEFINITELY left a mark on the history, even before the invasion to Poland. But calling Hitler “old chap,” and doing an imitation of him is a bit of a bad taste. Maybe this is a clash of cultures. Within the Japanese tradition, influenced heavily by Shinto-ism and Buddhism, the dead are dead, and that all souls are equal.
The netizens were shocked that she didn’t know the unsavory facts of Hitler and what he was most famous for, and that a screenwriter would come up with such a ridiculous script. The crux of it all was that this was not a live show. Where were the TV producers, directors, and managers going “erm…. Isn’t this a bit too much?” before letting the show go on the air?
The TV station which broadcast the show quickly removed all the youtube clips floating around, and made a public apology ASAP. The teen star will probably make sure she will watch more NHK (think BBC of Japan) and the public will forget until some other public figure make a gaffe and then their attention will be poured there.
P.S
As we all know, “once it’s on the net, it’s always on the net.” So it’s been uploaded again.
You can see the clip for yourself:
http://jp.youtube.com/watch?v=_MbzNIZlbZk&feature=channel_page
Note: The translation NEVER reflects the original nuance 100%. So it may not seem as bad as the Japanese viewers described. For example, the translation skips “Hitler ojisan” (Uncle Hitler, or old chap Hitler).
Some of the (sarcastic and funny) reactions by the Japanese netizens:
*”She can always claim she got the guy confused with Charlie Chaplin. Yes, everyone loves Chaplin.”
*”Apparently, this is what you get from the recent updates they made on the Japanese educational system. I mean, they teach that pie is 3 in school now. Wow.”
*”Way to go Japan. Always loyal to the allies! Not like the Italians.”
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