Japanese TV presenter loses job after complaining about men's body odor

A Japanese news anchor has lost her job and is facing fierce backlash on social media after uploading a post about how difficult it is to “tolerate” men's body odor and suggesting that they should shower more often.

Tokyo-based freelance announcer Yuri Kawaguchi is known for her feminist views. The 29-year-old also works as a lecturer for harassment prevention training courses.

On August 8, on the social media platform X, where she has around 13,000 followers, she expressed her concerns about men's hygiene in the summer, urging them to shower and use deodorant.

“I'm really sorry if it's a personal situation, but the smell of men in summer or the body odor of unhygienic people is so unpleasant,” said the presenter.

“I want to be clean, so I shower several times a day, use wet wipes, and wear antiperspirant year-round. I think more men should do this,” she wrote.

Some people said that Kawaguchi's post was specifically aimed at men and accused her of gender discrimination.

“Blaming only men is annoying and undoubtedly discriminatory. Women, especially older women, can have body odor too. I feel really uncomfortable with this,” wrote one male internet user.

Some even called her a “materialistic woman who has no connection to the lives of ordinary people.”

After the controversy erupted, the moderator publicly apologized and the post was removed on August 11.

“This time, many people were upset and hurt because of my thoughtless remarks. I will think about it carefully. In the future, I will work hard not to hurt anyone with my remarks. I am truly sorry,” the presenter said.

However, her agency VOICE also terminated her contract and accused her of “defamation of the honor of the opposite sex.”

The company that had hired Kawaguchi as a lecturer also terminated her contract.

Such extreme measures against her were criticized by Japanese netizens who called her “too extreme.” This also sparked a debate about whether what she said was right or wrong.

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“A woman demands that men be neat and decent, and yet this still causes outrage. This just shows that Japan has been a male-dominated society for far too long. No matter how dirty men are, as soon as a woman complains, they punish her,” one person wrote.

“Those who criticized her are probably smelly men themselves. I'm a man and I can't stand the smell of other men – it's just so disgusting,” commented another.

“If you don't stink then why would you be offended by the post? If you're clean then there's nothing to defend,” said one user.

“Why are Japanese men so sensitive? They can't handle a little criticism. Women are expected to keep themselves beautiful, clean and fit without complaining, but men aren't expected to do the same. If that's not gender discrimination, what is?” asked a third person.

(With contributions from agencies)