The popular YouTuber duo, the Nakata Siblings, who boast over 1.69 million subscribers, faced public backlash earlier this year following what many deemed inappropriate comments related to a tragic road collapse incident. On March 4, 2025, they posted on their official YouTube channel, not only addressing the controversy but also announcing the resumption of their activities.
Drama unfolded on February 2, 2025, when Nakata JP and his sister Nakata Azami made lighthearted remarks about the road collapse incident during one of their videos. Their comments included laughing about the situation, which sparked outrage among viewers, with many calling the remarks "disrespectful" and "unbelievably inappropriate". The backlash was swift, forcing them to take time away from their platform.
After receiving numerous negative reactions, on February 9, they posted another video titled 'About the remarks concerning the road collapse accident', where JP and Azami apologized for their insensitivity. JP expressed, “To those affected by the subsidence accident and their families, we are very sorry for causing discomfort with our inappropriate words,” showing remorse for their actions.
Fast forward to March 4, 2025, the siblings returned to their YouTube channel, where they reiterated their apologies. Azami stated concernedly, “I think it was really bad. I just wanted to convey we were not laughing at the victims. I hope to clarify this point.” JP added, “To prevent this from happening again, we have decided to include people from outside to check the videos from now on.”
The controversy didn't end there for Azami, as she announced during this same video update her resignation from her role as an exclusive model for the fashion magazine 'CanCam', effective immediately. At 24, she commented, “Regarding external work other than YouTube, I will refrain from or resign. The magazine work has also ended without continuing.” It was confirmed later the same day when her name and profile disappeared from CanCam's model list.
The backlash has had significant repercussions for the Nakata Siblings professionally and personally. Reflecting on their irresponsibility, JP acknowledged, “I felt the immaturity of our team. The reason why we couldn't stop this video was undoubtedly due to our team's lack of maturity. It's not the first time we have caused trouble, and we are committed to working on these issues.”
Azami's decision to resign from external work indicates her awareness of the gravity of the situation and her commitment to affording the negative impacts the incident had on both their followers and the victims' families. This is not just about their individual choices but about reconciling with their audience and ensuring such insensitivity won’t be repeated.
Before concluding the recent video, JP assured fans, “I wanted to do YouTube again with all my might,” reinforcing their commitment to their platform and crafting content more responsibly. He also reiterated their sincerity by saying, “I had them donate to Yatsuo City. I am very sorry for this.”
Through their apologies and newfound commitment to accountability, the Nakata Siblings demonstrate the importance of sensitivity and the necessity of balancing humor with respect - especially when addressing serious societal issues. The response to their situation reflects not only their growth and learning curve but also serves as a reminder of the influence and responsibility placed on public figures today.