Japanese Comedian Commits 'Hygiene Terror' at Mangwon Market... Apology Delivered by Announcer

Eating Sold Food with a Saliva-Contaminated Toothpick
Female Announcer Apologizes on Behalf of the Cast
"Apologized Directly to the Store... Sorry to Viewers as Well"

A famous Japanese comedian visited Korea's Mangwon Market and caused controversy after a broadcast showed him eating food for sale with a skewer he had licked. In response, the announcer of the program issued an apology on his behalf.

On the 5th, Tamura Mako, an announcer for the Japanese TBS morning program 'LOVE it!', said at the end of the broadcast, "In the Korean travel segment aired on the 2nd, a cast member used a toothpick to poke food that was for sale," adding, "We received several criticisms from viewers afterward." She continued, "The program deeply regrets that this was inappropriate and has directly apologized to the store as well," and apologized to viewers, saying, "We are sorry for causing discomfort to our audience."

Japanese TBS announcer Tamura Mako apologized on behalf of comedian Yamazoe Hiroshi, who committed a 'hygiene terror' at Mangwon Market.
[Image source=Captured from Japanese TBS]

Earlier, on the 2nd, 'LOVE it!' aired footage of comedian Yamazoe Hiroshi (37) and other cast members visiting Korea's Mangwon Market. The cast stood in the market alley and tasted fried chicken, but at that moment, Yamazoe suddenly poked the stacked fried chicken meant for sale with the skewer he was eating from without permission.

Seeing this, his fellow cast members strongly stopped him, saying, "You can't do that," and "That's not manners," while the store staff clearly expressed disapproval by making a large 'X' sign with their arms, indicating they could not allow Yamazoe's behavior. Nevertheless, Yamazoe tried to brush it off without apologizing, only saying strange words mixing Korean and the program's name, "Rabiso-yo, Rabiso-yo," meaning "It's delicious" and the show title.

Japanese comedian Yamazoe Hiroshi is being stopped by the store owner who makes an 'X' sign with his arms as he picks up a chicken gangjeong for sale with a toothpick he used.
[Image source=TBS broadcast capture]

Yamazoe, a member of the Japanese comedy duo 'Aiseki Start,' has been known for his mischievous image on broadcasts and has been active as a reporter. However, amid recent social issues in Japan such as 'spit terror' incidents at conveyor belt sushi restaurants, Yamazoe's actions have been strongly criticized even within Japan.

As the controversy grew, the 'LOVE it!' production team deleted the problematic scenes from the VOD and issued an apology through the announcer. However, since the apology was made by the announcer instead of the person who caused the controversy, it sparked further anger among viewers. Moreover, criticism has increased over a female announcer bowing her head to apologize for the wrongdoing of a male comedian. Japanese netizens responded with comments such as, "Why should a female announcer apologize on behalf of a male comedian who did wrong?", "They sacrificed the female announcer to protect the male celebrity," and "The production team that made her read the apology is also at fault."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.