① Controversy over YouTuber’s “Free Travel” in Japan
A YouTuber, who claimed to have traveled in Japan for free by fare-dodging and freeloading meals, is currently embroiled in controversy. The YouTuber Fidias Panayiotou from Cyprus has a following of 2.38 million subscribers. On the 21st, he posted a video titled “I Travelled Across Japan For Free” on his YouTube channel.
The YouTuber, along with three others, traveled across Japan, hopping on the Shinkansen train and buses without paying. He introduced his trip as a free journey and claimed to have bet $10,000 with the other three. They stayed in the train restroom after boarding the Shinkansen. When asked to show their tickets by the station staff upon disembarking, they feigned illness, pushed the staff aside, and fled. They even risked their lives to board another train.
After the free train ride, they begged for bus tickets from passers-by in Japan. They ended up trapped on the bus due to a shortage of 80 yen. Eventually, they were detained at a police station for five hours before being released. They also impersonated guests to use the breakfast service at a five-star hotel. They acted as if they were staying at the hotel and had breakfast. Later, the YouTuber confidently claimed, “We will leave the hotel without any issues and won’t get caught.”
It is unknown when this video was filmed or whether they are still in Japan. The controversial video was deleted on the 25th for violating YouTube guidelines.
② Adding Fuel to the Fire with Insincere Apology
Upon the release of the video, Japanese netizens expressed their anger. JR, the Shinkansen company, announced its intention to take legal action. On the 26th, the president of JR Kyushu, Furumiya, held a press conference and said, “They have caused a real nuisance. This is a criminal act”. He said he had watched the video and consulted with the police.
One Japanese netizen said, “We Japanese people are criticized for being quiet, but that is because we are considerate of others.” He added, “But if someone is against us, we will do our best to stand against them.” Another netizen also reacted, “Is crime just a joke in other countries?” and “Another annoying YouTuber has appeared from abroad. This guy Fidias and the other three must be arrested.” “I’m furious because of people like you who take advantage of the kindness and politeness of the Japanese.”
As the anger of Japanese netizens continued, the YouTuber commented on the video, “Hello, beautiful people. If we have made you uncomfortable, we apologize to the Japanese. That was not our intention.”
He described himself as a “professional mistake maker” and apologized. The controversy grew even more due to his apology, and Japanese netizens demanded that he show sincerity by deleting the video.
His video was deleted around noon on the 24th for violating YouTube guidelines.
③ Living by Begging at the Airport
Although the YouTuber caused controversy by posting a video introducing how to travel in Japan for free, his actions did not end there. On the 29th, he posted another video titled “I Lived in the Airport for 10 Days For Free”, where he showed himself living in the airport. He appeared in the video without a shirt and begged people at the airport for a top. Later, he said he had asked more than 30 people for a shirt.
He ate food discarded at the airport and used items such as clothes and neck pillows left behind. Also, he asked people how to get free food at the airport. He said he enjoyed living in the airport and that it was like a vacation.
Criticism is intensifying over the YouTuber’s behavior of releasing a similar video shortly after the controversy. In response to the video, the YouTuber commented, “I sincerely apologize for any harm caused by my illegal actions and behavior in all my past videos. I have learned my lesson and promise to strive for improvement in the future”.
Netizens commented, “In your country, can you commit a crime by saying ‘I didn’t mean to’?”, “Can you continue to commit crimes in countries other than Japan?”, “What would locals think if people who have not been properly educated commit crimes in other countries?”.
More than 4,000 comments were posted on this video. However, the YouTuber has not deleted the video, and it is still public.
By. Seo Sung Min
Most Commented