Midori Kimura apologizes following social media controversy

Japanese actress Midori Kimura has issued an apology on Instagram after her social media posts regarding immigration and political matters sparked significant controversy. In her apology, Kimura stated, “I am truly sorry that my posts made so many people feel bad. It is very sad to make someone feel bad.”

The controversy began following a September 5 post in which Kimura criticized the Tokyo Immigration Bureau for the forced deportation of foreign families, including children. This sparked a debate between those questioning immigration administration and those supporting law enforcement.

The backlash intensified as users resurfaced past comments made by Kimura. Specifically, a post from January 2026 regarding the life imprisonment sentence of Tetsuya Yamagami—the man who assassinated former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe—drew heavy criticism. Observers pointed to her use of the honorific “-kun” for Yamagami and her expressed dissatisfaction with the court's ruling as being insensitive to the victims.

These controversies have impacted the perception of her role in the popular TBS drama “VIVANT,” where she portrays the high-ranking commander of a secret intelligence unit. While some fans support her right to personal expression, others on platforms like X have expressed that her political views conflict with her character, leading to calls for her to step down from the series.