The current season of the popular Japanese reality show Terrace House has been cancelled following the death of one of its cast members, 22-year-old professional wrestler Hana Kimura, the Japan Times reported on Wednesday (May 27).
Fuji TV, who produced the reality show which is also streamed on Netflix, released a statement via Twitter and its official website: “We would like to express our sincere condolences for the death of Hana Kimura, who appeared on the program. We also deeply mourn the bereaved families.
“Regarding Terrace House: Tokyo 2019-2020, we have decided to cancel the production.
“We take this issue very seriously, and would like to continue to take sincere efforts in the future.”
尚「TERRACE HOUSE TOKYO 2019-2020」に関しましては、制作を中止する事を決定致しました。
— TERRACE HOUSE (@TH6TV) May 27, 2020
この度のことを重く受け止め、今後も真摯に対応して参りたいと考えております。
Terrace House was already on hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Even though several episodes were lined up to air in the coming weeks, they were subsequently pulled after Kimura’s death.
Kimura’s apparent suicide has been attributed to the hate tweets she received after an appearance on Episode 38’s ‘The Case of the Costume Incident’ in which she was seen losing her temper at a house-mate.
In Singapore, only 36 episodes were aired. A Netflix rep told 8days.sg that the remaining episodes have been “postponed indefinitely”.
If you or someone you know is having difficulties coping, here are some numbers to call:
Samaritans of Singapore: 1800-221-4444
Singapore Association for Mental Health: 1800-283-7019
CHAT @ *SCAPE: (+65) 6493 6500, (+65) 6493 6501
SAF Counselling Hotline: 1800-278-0022