Terrace House halts production after Hana Kimura's death

Hana Kimura (right) reportedly struggled with online harassment before taking her own life.
Hana Kimura reportedly struggled with online harassment before taking her own life. PHOTO: HANADAYO0903/ INSTAGRAM

TOKYO • Japanese reality TV show Terrace House has suspended its production for the 2019 to 2020 season after the sudden death of a 22-year-old cast member, it said on its website.

Hana Kimura, a professional wrestler and star of the latest season of the popular Netflix reality TV show, died last Saturday, according to World Wonder Ring Stardom, the professional wrestling organisation that represented Kimura.

Local media reported that a suicide note was found at her Tokyo home, as she struggled with a wave of online harassment.

Her apparent suicide has shocked fans around the world and raised immediate soul-searching over cyber bullying.

"We have decided to suspend the production of Terrace House Tokyo 2019-2020. We take this issue very seriously and would like to continue to respond earnestly," the show said on its Twitter account.

Shortly before her death was reported, Kimura posted a photo of herself with her cat on Instagram, with the caption, "I love you. Live a happy, long life. I'm sorry."

The latest series is shot in a luxury house in Tokyo, and Kimura's social media accounts had been bombarded with comments portraying her as a villain.

Japanese government officials promised to step up anti-cyber bullying measures in response.

The unscripted reality show, featuring three men and three women living under the same roof, has gained an international following since being streamed on Netflix from 2015.

The series originated on Japan's Fuji TV in 2012 and is now co-produced by Fuji and Netflix.

The show was suspended in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic last month and resumed airing this month.

After Kimura's death, the season's upcoming episodes, which were set to air this week and next, were again put on hold.

REUTERS

Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.

A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on May 29, 2020, with the headline Terrace House halts production after Hana Kimura's death. Subscribe