Backlash Erupts as Former Professor Tells Bereaved Family Not to Speak for Deceased Daughter

A firestorm of criticism has erupted on social media following remarks by Kenichi Asano, a former Doshisha University professor and journalist, directed at the family of a high school student who died in an accident in Henoko, Okinawa. Asano reportedly told the grieving family that "parents should not speak on behalf of their daughter's will," sparking accusations that he is "heartless" and "utterly selfish."

The controversy stems from Asano’s logic that even blood relatives are separate individuals and therefore should not presume to represent the deceased girl’s intentions. This argument was framed as a response to the family’s protest against how activists were handling the aftermath of the accident. However, critics have been quick to point out a glaring contradiction: promotional materials for study groups involving Asano have used the deceased student’s perspective for political ends, asking questions like, "How does she look down upon the current administration from heaven?"

On social media, the reaction has been one of outrage. Users have pointed out the hypocrisy, stating, "It is absurd to tell the family not to speak for her while complete strangers use her voice for political leverage" and calling the remarks a "desecration of the bereaved." Many have also questioned Asano’s background as a former Kyodo News reporter and his previous lectures on human rights and media ethics. Doshisha University has also come under fire, with alumni expressing shame and questioning the institution's judgment in having employed him.

The incident has highlighted a deep-seated public rejection of treating a young person's death as a tool for political struggle. Some users have labeled the behavior as "incompetent allies being more dangerous than enemies," reflecting a growing backlash against what is perceived as self-righteous and cold-hearted conduct by certain activist circles. The anger toward these remarks, which fail to show compassion for the family's grief, shows no signs of waning.

The context

The accident in question occurred in Henoko, Okinawa, a site of long-standing conflict regarding the relocation of the U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma. Protests at the construction site gates are a daily occurrence involving activists and security forces. The tragedy involved a high school student who was fatally struck by a truck during an incident related to these ongoing protests. Kenichi Asano is a well-known figure in Japan for his work on "media victimology" and human rights, making his perceived lack of empathy toward the bereaved family particularly shocking to the public. The phrase "incompetent allies" (munō na mikata) used in the comments refers to the idea that radical or insensitive supporters can ultimately damage the cause they claim to represent more than their actual opponents do.