wakatte. TV YouTuber sparks controversy over Fukushima University remarks

The YouTube channel ‘wakatte. TV’ is facing intense backlash following controversial remarks made by presenter Fumin Takada regarding Fukushima University. During a video uploaded on August 28, Takada commented on students' research into radioactivity and nuclear energy, stating, “Radioactivity and nuclear power are extremely important issues in energy... I don't want Fukushima University to touch them.”

Fukushima University issued a statement asserting that the dignity of its students and faculty must not be harmed, and President Koji Sano expressed regret over the incident. Takada has since deleted the video and issued an apology on X, acknowledging a lack of consideration for the significance of nuclear studies at the university.

The controversy has also raised questions regarding the link between the creators and the entrance exam industry. Both presenters serve as instructors for the cram school Takeda Juku. Following the incident, Takeda Juku founder Naohiro Hayashi posted comments on X suggesting that universities with lower deviation scores might not be capable of advanced research, a stance that critics argue highlights a problematic connection between provocative academic content and the exam-prep business.