Terrace House Tokyo has officially been canceled following the death of a cast member over the weekend. The Japanese reality show will cease production after Hana Kimura, a 22-year-old professional wrestler and Terrace House star, died on May 23, Variety reports.
Fuji Television Network, the show’s Japanese broadcaster, first announced the news today. The network confirmed the cancellation of the current season with a message online. “We would like to express our regrets for the death of Hana Kimura and offer our sincere condolences to her family,” the statement read. “Taking her passing with utmost sincerity, we will take active steps to formulate a response.”
Kimura’s cause of death has not been officially confirmed, but mainstream Japanese media reports that she died by suicide. She had been facing months of cyberbullying and online abuse in the time leading up to her death, which was only heightened after a March episode of Terrace House Tokyo aired showing an altercation between Kimura and a male cast member.
Before her death was reported over the weekend, Kimura posted a photo of herself and her cat on Instagram. “I love you. Live a happy, long life. I’m sorry,” she captioned the post. Her death has since sparked a larger conversation about online abuse in Japan — government officials have paid tribute to Kimura online and pledged to work on enacting cyberbullying legislation, CNN reports.
Kimura appeared on Terrace House during episodes 20-42. The show brings six strangers (three men and three women) together in one house and follows the relationships they form while living together. Terrace House first premiered in 2015 and eventually expanded into a franchise, with the latest season being Terrace House: Tokyo 2019-2020.
For now, Terrace House Tokyo will remain on Netflix, where it’s available to stream outside of Japan. “We have no current plans to take down the latest season of this incredibly loved show,” a Netflix spokesman told Variety.
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