Japan axes Netflix collaboration after outcry over dating show

Japan's justice ministry announced on Friday that it will terminate its collaboration with the controversial Netflix dating show, "Badly in Love," following widespread outrage over its portrayal of ex-juvenile delinquents. The show, which features young men and women with criminal pasts, including former yakuza members and motorcycle gang members, has been an unexpected global hit since its December debut.

The ministry's rehabilitation bureau justified the partnership by pointing to the show's depiction of participants' efforts to overcome their pasts, which aligned with their belief that "a person can change." However, the ministry received significant criticism over the show's potential to cause discomfort among victims of crime.

The cancellation of the partnership is not intended to deny efforts to rehabilitate individuals who committed crimes in the past, the ministry stated. The show's executive producer, Dai Ota, has previously noted that the production team conducted extensive internal discussions to ensure the show would not be perceived as condoning violence.