A Proper Apology? (Would Amercans buy this kind of apology from an American?)

[AsahinaKimi]

VIDEO: AKB48 Idol Shaves Head, Posts Apology After Sex Scandal


We know the pop idols in Japan are held to high standards in their professional and personal lives. Fans scrutinize their every move, and when they do something thought as immoral or improper, the backlash is enormous.

Just ask Minegishi Minami. She spent the night with Alan Shirahama from the band GENERATION and was photographed sneaking out the next morning, a mask over her face. Within a day she was demoted from senior member to trainee. The announcement came via the Google + page of AKB48’s theater manager, Togasaki Tomonobu. He posted, “We have decided to demote Minegishi Minami to become a member of team Trainee as her punishment for causing nuisance to the fans because of this scandal. This demotion will take effect on February 1, 2013. Moreover, we will give more information about her schedule as soon as details have been decided."

She said, “I am very sorry for worrying the members, you fans, staff members, my family, and many people for the article about me on a weekly magazine that will be released today.

As the first generation member of AKB48 that was formed back in 2005, I was supposed to be in the position where I always had to act as a role model for the junior members. However, what I have done was such a thoughtless and a lack of self-awareness behavior.

Since my mind is still in blank, I did not know what to do or what I can do, but as I just saw the magazine, I could not sit still, so I decided all by myself to shave my head without even telling the members or my agency.

http://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2013/01/31-1/video-akb48-idol-shaves-head-posts-apology-after-sex-scandal

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This story, aside, I have heard it on DU many times how people have stated that a certain politician or celebrity person never made a Proper or Sincere Apology.. This young lady who stepped into scandal decided her best approach was to make a video and have her head shaved. You don't have to understand Japanese to see how remorseful she was. Some people thought she went too far, others were satisfied that she was sincerely sorry.

This is not the kind of thing you would see in the United States these days. The Non-Apology-Apology seems to be a thing the Republicans exceed at, greatly. No one could ever expect them to do anything as extreme as this. When was the last time you saw a sincere apology from any American Celebrity or Politician?

So, what cha thinking?

[CBGLuthier]

1. Would they commit seppuku if caught lip syncing?

[AsahinaKimi]

3. Your're missing the whole point...

Read my comments.

[CBGLuthier]

8. and for that I apologize

I went for a side commentary on the Inaugural lip sync thing since today Beyonce said she did it but of course she did not apologize for doing it because she and 200 million Americans, unlike me, don't see a problem with lip syncing at the inaugural.

That aside, yes, that is one hell of an apology, and yes people over here get away with murder and even when they seem to act as if they are sorry you can tell they are not. Not in the least.

[AsahinaKimi]

9. In terms of apologies...I was thinking of the

Apology made by 49ers Chris Culliver. It was less than sincere, IMHO..

“The derogatory comments I made yesterday were a reflection of thoughts in my head, but they are not how I feel. It has taken me seeing them in print to realize that they are hurtful and ugly. Those discriminating feelings are truly not in my heart. Further, I apologize to those who I have hurt and offended, and I pledge to learn and grow from this experience.”


"I apologize to those who I have hurt and offended" ..what about to the rest?

[davidpdx]

35. I agree that Culliver was wrong to say what he said

But I think people should stop ragging on the Niners. It seems like people on here are painting the whole team as monsters and it is a disservice to the good people on the team.

[Wounded Bear]

36. Sounds like he did better than most....

Many celebs/pols use the old "I'm sorry if you felt offended" line.



Japaneses culture is much different than American, to be sure. Here in the states, celebs seem to get away with the whole "I'll do and say what I want, deal with it" attitude. Not always, but often.

[leftstreet]

2. I don't understand this. Did the guy have to apologize?

Sorry, I don't know who these people are

But yes, her apology seems really heartfelt. How sad overall

[RC]

5. You're kidding, correct?

What did the guy have to do with anything? [font size="6"]--> <--[/font size]

What actually bothers me is, are these women allowed to have any kind of private life? If not, why not? That is the problem with worshiping high profile people, one misstep or alleged misstep and scandal and ruin ensue. Even when their worshipers do the same thing they condemn in those they worship.
Why care if two consenting adults get together for a night of their own. It's no ones business. Gender is immaterial. The actions of both people should be treated the same, i.e., by looking the other way. Ignoring what is not your business.

[freshwest]

4. First thought: Japanese are more self-aware, or maybe self-conscious due to society.

Next, is that I am concerned for this young lady's emotional state.

I am not aware, even after reading the comments at the link, and seeing the video, that she did anything unthinkable. The comment indicate that she is being treated unfairly, that she is afraid. That the expectations of 'idols' is too high.

Why is the assumption that she and the other band member must have done something sexual in nature? The other person is not being mentioned, perhaps there are more details. She could have simply talked all night long. There is perception and there is reality.

I've read that young people in several countries are not interested in marriage as much as they once were, due to how it pretty much, after parenthood, lays the path for their life, and feel oppressed. I don't know if that is part of the culture of Japan at this time. But my guess is that their social norms or morals are more conservative than the USA.

I'm not keen on the American celebrities, who flaunt everything they do, drugs, wild parties, pregnancies, divorces, driving drunk or whatever, as if their fame or wealth makes it something for others to copy - that is where the role modeling aspect of this story comes through. When a very impressionable youngster sees these things, they may want to imitate. And the results of those choices can make for miserable lives. We are looking into a bubble of people who are really not living an average lifestyle.

As far as the American non-apology, those are for actions or words done that hurt or shame other people. They have done society a wrong. I don't see how this young lady's actions meet that level of cruelty or callousness, that such as Rush or Akin or Ryan, etc. have done. She did not have ill intent - she was caught up not living up to a certain set of standards, and I don't find any hypocrisy.

That is the difference here - those who make the non-apologies here, don't mean it, and she (even if we think she is being mistreated) did mean it. She didn't hurt anyone, didn't mean to hurt anyone. This is a much higher standard than the very coarse louts making statements here. I would be embarrassed how American pundits, celebrities and politicans behave in such matters, but we are just numbed to this here. It's very hateful to me.

I hope this young lady recovers from her societal misstep. I think she means it.

[AsahinaKimi]

6. I agree

Well stated.

[left on green only]

7. Putting Cultural Differences Aside.........

........Most people in the U.S.A., and especially those in the public eye, have learned the "art" of speaking out of both sides of their mouths at the same time; thereby eliminating the need to ever have to be sincere about anything. Admittedly, some of us are more "adept" at this "social skill" than others.

Sorry to be sounding like a cynic, but that is just my conclusion, after a lifetime of observation.

[Dreamer Tatum]

10. An American would be lauded for getting some, not humiliated

so I don't even know what you're talking about.

Kim Kardashian was pretty much a nobody until her SEX TAPE came out.

[Lone_Star_Dem]

11. Her level of remorse is breaking my heart, and I don't even understand what she's saying.

Honestly, the poor thing I want to hug her. I hope things work out for her and she's able to regain the respect she lost.


I don't recall the last time I was emotionally touched by a public apology in the US. Let alone the last time I heard one from a public figure I actually believed. Here it's more about saying pretty words which were usually written for you by a public relations specialist, or crying some fake tears hoping you fooled enough people for the press to drop it until another celebrity screws up. In other words, American's don't have the same awareness of societal ethics and the impact their actions have actually had on others. Here it's more about how what you said or did is going to negatively impact you, and what you can do to mitigate the damage to yourself. It's a much more selfish mentality. Many in our society have no real concept of respect anymore, be it for themselves or for others. It's evident in everything we do.

[AsahinaKimi]

13. When you see this..

You really see a cultural difference. Some of the things we see that go on here, in the states are very bother some. Its a whole different world, from when I was younger.

[Lone_Star_Dem]

16. Some things I see that go on here in the states are bothersome to me as well.

Did you see the apology by the football player for the 49ers over his insults to gays? The one which was in my mind written by a professional public relations specialist using language the 49ers player has never had pass his lips in his life? That bothered me, greatly. It left me feeling as if not only could he not be troubled to say an apology for what he said, he couldn't even be bothered to write one. How is it an apology if the offending person had no involvement in it other than to be told this was now their public opinion? That this is what passes for an apology in our country now is a symptom on how disconnected we've become. It's still troubling how little we care so long as we're being entertained and the insult wasn't to us personally.

However, the poor girl in your OP? To me I can't help seeing her as being too harshly judged for such a personal matter. I can't understand how something like that can have such an impact as to cause her so much pain and personal shame. At least in her case I can tell myself it's because I've never lived there and learned the culture. I don't have even that luxury in regards to the 49ers football player.

[AsahinaKimi]

17. yeah check out my post #9

I mentioned that exact thing.

[Lone_Star_Dem]

19. I see we were on the same page on that.

I should have realized it by the topic of your post. I may have if I'd not been distracted by the pain I felt coming from the girl in the video.

What passes for an apology here anymore is shameful.

I really should read a whole thread more often. I miss so much content when I don't.

[Bonobo]

12. I am disgusted, nauseated and angry about this.

The AKB48 management company should get the same treatment the Olympic Judo coach got for forcing this poor girl to do this.

She said it was her choice but I don't believe it. This, after all, was posted on AKB48"s official site.

[AsahinaKimi]

14. You may be right Bonobo san

After all their management seem more concern for their image and how much money they will bring in, than their concern for people in their care.

[Art_from_Ark]

15. I agree

The company is making a huge mountain out of what should be nobody's business but the two adults involved.
Sono kaisha no taiou wa baaaaaaaaka da.

[AsahinaKimi]

18. honto desu!

sou dayo!!

[Behind the Aegis]

20. I actually know what that word means ("baka"); I think.

It means fool/idiot, correct? Or am I thinking of another word? I recall the word because it is believed to have derived from the words for "deer" and "horse" being similar, but anyone who can't tell the difference is a "baka." The only phrase I remember, which is handy is "Wakanima sen nihongoga." (I probably wrote it incorrectly, but it should mean "I don't speak Japanese." Please tell me that is what I have been saying for years!!!).

[Bonobo]

21. Right about baka and slightly wrong about phrase.

It should be "nihongo ga wakarimasen" but you could get away with saying it "backwards" as "wakarimasen, nihongo ga" (I don't understand it... Japanese (that is)&quot

[Behind the Aegis]

24. I appreciate it. I am embarrassed I got it wrong.

I try to say things correctly, but the Japanese exchange students didn't give me a hard time about it.

[Art_from_Ark]

22. "Baka" can, indeed, mean "fool" or "idiot"

Or, "foolish" or "idiotic". Or even "crazy". And when it's really drawn out, it means *really* "foolish" or "idiotic". Or crazy.

And the characters it is written with do mean "horse" and "deer". Apparently, the story goes that two guys couldn't agree about whether the animal they saw in the distance was a horse or a deer, so they ended up getting into a violent fight about it. At least, that's the story a Chinese grad student told me

And if you want to say "I don't understand Japanese", you can say "Nihongo ga wakarimasen"

[Behind the Aegis]

23. Thank you! I hate getting things wrong.

At least they (the Japanese exchange students who didnt speak English), didn't laugh at me. They did, however, only address me in Japanese even after learning some English.

[Art_from_Ark]

26. When I was first learning Japanese, the Japanese exchange students

who were supposed to be my tutors had a lot of fun at my expense.

For example, they told me that if I wanted to impress a Japanese lady, I should tell her "Watashi wa sukebejijii desu", which they assured me was a compliment to the lady. However, after testing my new "knowledge" of Japanese on a nearby unsuspecting female student, I found out that I was actually telling her that I was a "dirty old goat"

[AsahinaKimi]

27. wow..

I thought Sukebe (as in Sukebe Otoko hito) means a guy who wants sex too much. Am I correct? JiJii is grandfather I believe.

[Art_from_Ark]

28. "-jijii" is a kind of derogatory suffix

used by women to refer to an older man they feel is "creepy". "Grandfather" in the respectful sense is "o-jiisan"

"Sukebe" by itself does mean "lecher". But add a "-jijii" to the end of that, and you"ve got probably the ultimate insult that a Japanese woman will say about a man.

[AsahinaKimi]

29. Thank you Art san..

This is good to know, next time I need a great slur for a Republican lecher! ^^ Arigatou!

[Art_from_Ark]

30. Come to think of it, "kuso-jijii" is also pretty insulting

although its usage is not limited to women. And the female equivalent would be "kuso-babaa".

[AsahinaKimi]

31. Again thank you, and...

Ohayou gozaimasu! Sugasugashii asa desune!
Kyou mo ichinichi gambatte ikimashou!

[Art_from_Ark]

32. Ganbatte ne!

Watashi no baai,
mou neru jikan desu kara,
o-yasumi nasai

[AsahinaKimi]

33. Oyasumi Nasai!

Yoi Yume!

[Art_from_Ark]

34. Totemo yoi yume wo mita

Sakayume de atta kamoshirenai ga, totemo shinsetsu de kawaii onna-no-hito ni atta you na yume wo mita. Totemo yoi yume nan datta kara, watashi wa gogo ichiji made gussuri neteita

[AsahinaKimi]

25. UPDATE: Alan Shirahama's Agency Releases Statement Regarding Scandal With Minami Minegishi

LDH, the entertainment company that manages GENERATIONS, has released a statement regarding the scandal Alan Shirahama has become involved in with AKB48's Minami Minegishi.

Unlike the trouble Minegishi and AKB48's management has gone through since reports that she spent the night with Shirahama were published, LDH did not have much to say on the matter.

"We leave his private life up to him. He told us they are just good friends and nothing more," they stated.

Unlike Minegishi, Shirahama did not break any rules or violate his contract. Despite this fact, many netizens in support of Minegishi are upset that he has not done more to help her save face, shown more remorse for the situation, or apologized for his role in the scandal. Some AKB48 fans have even gone as far as saying he should shave his head in solidarity.

http://www.jpopasia.com/news/alan-shirahamas-agency-releases-statement-regarding-scandal-with-minami-minegishi::12953.html

Well looks like shes in more hot water than him...I wonder why that is? Maybe he should shave his head.

[Art_from_Ark]

37. You know, this video is *still* on the front page of YouTube Japan