"wakatte.TV" Fumin Takada apologizes for comments regarding Fukushima University "I don't want anyone to touch Fukushima University"

Mr. Fumin Takada of the academic YouTube channel ``wakatte.TV'' was criticized for saying ``I don't want Fukushima University to touch it'' regarding radioactivity research in a video shot on the campus of Fukushima University, and on September 1, Fumin Takada apologized on X and deleted the video.

Although he has offered explanations such as, ``Due to our inadequate expressions, the message was conveyed to many people in a way that was not intended,'' and ``There was a decisive lack of consideration for the significance and background of studying nuclear power at Fukushima University, as well as the aspirations of the students who engage in research every day.'' However, the criticism has not subsided.

"wakatte.TV" is a channel where two people in charge of academic affairs at the cram school "Takeda Juku" travel to universities around the country as "characters who prioritize academic background" and ask students about their hardships in entrance exams and campus life. It was established in August 2017 with the concept of ``blackly satirizing Japan's educational society'' and has over 770,000 registered users.

The video in question was released on August 28, 2016, and is titled, ``[Entrance exams are too easy?] National and public schools rank at the bottom!? From earthquake recovery and radiation research to surprising entrance exam circumstances! Fukushima University campus investigation!''

When the two visited Fukushima University and interviewed students, the student said that radioactivity-related research was ``unique to Fukushima,'' to which Takada said, ``Radioactivity and nuclear power are extremely important energy issues. I don't want Fukushima University to touch them.''

This scene went viral on X, and was criticized one after another, with Fukushima University professor Tooru Kumazawa posting, ``Why can't our university be criticized like this?... You're making fun of so many people.''

After temporarily making the video private, the channel republished this scene with a new caption that read, ``The performers have no intention of making fun of the damage caused by the Great East Japan Earthquake and the nuclear power plant accident, nor the research and learning at Fukushima University.'' This response sparked further backlash.

Fukushima University also released a statement on its official website on September 1st. Although the target was not named, a statement in the name of President Koji Sano said, ``Students and faculty members who are sincerely engaged in education and research activities must not have their dignity undermined.''

On the evening of the same day, Mr. Takada apologized on X, saying, ``Due to my lack of words, my words were conveyed to many people in a different way than I intended.'' ``It was not my intention to make fun of or discriminate against the earthquake disaster or the nuclear power plant accident,'' and added, ``There was a decisive lack of consideration for everyone's aspirations,'' and they announced that they would delete the video and prevent it from happening again.