Photo/Illutration Two chicks of gentoo penguins in Nasu Animal Kingdom in Tochigi Prefecture in July 2021 (Asahi Shimbun file photo)

A TV network and the show's host were forced to apologize after a zoo and animal welfare advocates expressed outrage at a live show in which a comedian repeatedly fell into a penguin pond. 

Experts and animal welfare advocates pointed to a lack of awareness and commitment to animal welfare among TV stations.

The incident occurred on March 24 in a Nippon Television Network Corp. program called “Sukkiri,” which ended later in the month.

Comedian Toshiaki Kasuga appeared in the live broadcast from the Nasu Animal Kingdom in Tochigi Prefecture.

Kasuga fell three times into the pond as he was feeding the penguins, while being fervently coached by the show’s host, Koji Kato.

The penguins were seen fleeing in panic. The zoo immediately lodged a severe protest.

The Japanese Association of Zoos and Aquariums also issued a statement saying, “It is unacceptable to forget respect for animals and simply make jokes out of them.”

Kato apologized for the incident during the program broadcast on March 27.

Akira Ishizawa, the president of Nippon Television, also offered an apology at a regular news conference the same day.

“We caused trouble for the zoo staff and the cast. We also made viewers feel uncomfortable,” he said.

Shuichi Ito, a professor of animal welfare at Tokai University, pointed out that sudden stimulus could lead to shock death and injuries among animals. 

“The behavior is problematic at a time when consideration for animal welfare is becoming increasingly important worldwide,” he said.

The basic idea behind animal welfare, which began to be advocated in the 1960s, is to ensure the “five freedoms.” They include not making animals subject to hunger, discomfort or fear when utilized by humans.

Legislation toward these ideals has been adopted across Europe and Japan’s animal welfare law also stipulates four aspects.

“I think the root of the problem lies not in the comedians, but in the TV station’s desire to make people laugh or be emotionally touched by animals,” Ito said.

WIDESPREAD LACK OF AWARENESS

This is not the first time NTV’s program has come under criticism.

Another show called "Tensai! Shimura Dobutsuen" (Genius! Shimura zoo) was also singled out for its treatment of animals.

Sachiko Azuma, head of the animal welfare organization PEACE, said, “It’s not just a problem for NTV. The lack of awareness among TV stations is outrageous.

“Dolphin shows and circuses have come under increasing criticism worldwide, and laws prohibiting them have been enacted in France. But Japanese TV stations continue to introduce them without criticism,” she said.

Aya Sugimoto, an actress and president of the animal environment and welfare foundation Eva, said, “Sexual and power harassment have become social issues, and TV stations can’t force their human casts to do anything difficult.

“But animals can’t speak up about the damage they suffered. So, the shows proceed while putting the burden on them without any questions,” she said.

In the United States, the nonprofit organization American Humane Association monitors the treatment of animals used in visual media and checks filming locations to ensure that there is no abuse.

If media outlets met the criteria, the association's seal of approval is shown at the end of films and programs.

Britain has a law regulating filming with animals for movies and videos.

In recent years, some films in Japan have begun to display statements such as, "No animals were harmed during the production of this film.”

“I hope the TV industry moves toward voluntary self-regulation,” Azuma said.

‘ANIMALS CAN'T SPEAK UP’

“The penguins must have been really frightened because it was like they were suddenly attacked,” said Mihoko Yamada, a TV script writer, who is involved in animal welfare activities.

She said there is still a tendency in the TV industry that anything goes on camera as long as it is funny. She added that she knows the difficultly in interrupting the flow of a program.

However, “animals that cannot speak the human language are vulnerable,” she said. “I want people to understand that it is important to fully consider animal welfare.”

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