TBS turns viewers off with its topless T-shirt project

“What sort of an example is this to children at a school in India which is being built from funds raised by the sale of a T-shirt featuring a topless woman?” That is part of the massive backlash from critics hitting the TBS network after “talent” Chinatsu Wakatsuki, 24, started selling a T-shirt which features her topless.

TBS launched the charity project during its variety program “Akuma no keiyaku ni sain” at the end of January.

Wakatsuki, who traveled through Asia last year while she was taking a break from work commitments, said: “I wondered if I could be of any help to children in poverty, and decided to go topless for charity.”

About 6,000 T-shirts, each costing 2,000 yen, have been sold so far. However, many people have criticized the project, arguing that a school funded by the sale of T-shirts depicting semi-nudity, will attract trouble in Islamic and Hindu countries.

A TBS spokesman told Shukan Post that the money raised would be donated to an educational charity organization in India. However, the network announced on its website that NGO Save The Children has withdrawn from the partnership with the TV station due to recent criticism of the project.

One TBS insider says, “The NGO was reluctant to stay involved in the project since it would affect their normal activities. I think it’s very difficult for TBS to find a new partner. It must be costly for a giant TV network to conduct a charity activity.”

Masao Tao, a professor at Aichi Gakuin University, says, “It is inappropriate for TBS to launch such a charity project without making sure that they had a reliable partner to handle disbursement of the funds. It’s natural for everyone to think that TBS was just making use of a charity to promote its program. They should disclose what the money raised will be used for as soon as possible to those who bought the T-shirts.”

Following the barrage of criticism and the NGO’s withdrawal from the project, a spokesperson for TBS told Shukan Post: “We have assigned a responsible person to oversee the construction of the school (in India).”

TBS, however, suddenly terminated the controversial variety program and Wakatsuki has since moved on to her next promotion. (Translated by Taro Fujimoto)

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Latest 15 of 25 Total Comments Show All

buddha4brains at 08:41 AM JST - 3rd March

Masao Tao, a professor at Aichi Gakuin University, says, “It is inappropriate for TBS to launch such a charity project without making sure that they had a reliable partner to handle disbursement of the funds.

A "reliable partner"? This promo had stupid written all over it. The NGO Save the Children were exactly right to withdraw.
Apsara at 09:12 AM JST - 3rd March

How odd to have a picture of a semi-nude celebrity above the caption "school for all children". Did no-one anywhere along the line before that T-shirt was actually made think that might be the teeniest bit inappropriate? Truly amazing.
buggerlugs at 10:00 AM JST - 3rd March

It really does show the ignorance of our host nation... A poster of a hairy naked man at a festival is taken down because it offends Japanese but this by a major, supposedly modern int'l thinking company was deemed ok? the stupidity is collosal. ps: where can I buy one of these t-shirts, think it maybe worth a few bob in a couple of years;))
likeitis at 10:11 AM JST - 3rd March

Apsara:How odd to have a picture of a semi-nude celebrity above the caption "school for all children".

I know some women who completely bare their breasts for newborn babies! Selfish lasses have no concern for how much they are warping children with that!

Frankly, I think finding anything offensive about breasts is about as perverted as you can get. And getting offended at the beauty of the female body is just plain sad.

Yeah, it would have been wise to realize just how sad some people are before making the T-shirt. But I cannot help but fault both sides in this little scandal. Her baby bottles are covered anyway.
gogogo at 01:05 PM JST - 3rd March

“What sort of an example is this to children at a school in India which is being built from funds raised by the sale of a T-shirt featuring a topless woman?”

Wow that is nearly word for word what I said when JT posted this the first time (with a photo), glad the Japanese public have awaken to the same fact.
oreoreda at 02:14 PM JST - 3rd March

If she did this in India she'd be arrested in most states.
dennis0bauer at 03:10 PM JST - 3rd March

it is a scam, she is not topless!
Wakarimasen at 03:26 PM JST - 3rd March

I also want to buy one of these - going to be a collectible for sure.
telecasterplayer at 03:27 PM JST - 3rd March

Nudity plus underage children at school plus socially conservative Islamic and Hindu countries. Can't see why that would raise any red flags. By the way, the executive who approved this keeps his spare change in a jar with razor blades and salt.
70x4060d at 05:29 PM JST - 4th March

The shirt's great! Too bad they couldn't get it to work, it would have been some great pwnage.
BurakuminDes at 11:35 PM JST - 5th March

Well, if they think it's offensive (which it's not - she isnt "topless", how out of date are their primitive morals?) they don't have to accept all the millions that have been raised to help their cesspool countries. You can keep your "high morals" and continue to live in poverty, ungrateful swines! Where can I buy me some of these t-shirts?
watarigarasu at 05:24 AM JST - 6th March

Nudity plus underage children at school plus socially conservative Islamic and Hindu countries.

Okay, some people have a hangup over nudity. I understand that. But frankly, who gives a rip about the standards of Islamic and Hindu countries? As oppressive as they can be towards women and life in general, I don't think we have any obligation to go pussy-footing around their fragile sensibilities.

As for the «underage children» part, I only can laugh at the idea... is nudity only appropriate with «over-age children»?
jeancolmar at 04:42 PM JST - 7th March

I've lived in Japan long enough to think that the T-shirt is cute.
Apsara at 10:11 PM JST - 7th March

Let's forget this is for India and imagine it is back in the States, Australia or the UK- does anyone think for a second that this T-shirt would get past the idea stage? I highly doubt it. And as for this comment: "I know some women who completely bare their breasts for newborn babies! Selfish lasses have no concern for how much they are warping children with that!", there is a big difference between this photo and a picture of a breastfeeding mother for example- all pictures of breasts are not created with the same intent, and this pic has nothing to do with breastfeeding. Do you think that pictures of topless models should be handed out to kids at schools? I see nothing offensive about breasts per se either- I have a pair myself, but there is a question of appropriateness. This T-shirt is not.
likeitis at 10:20 PM JST - 7th March

all pictures of breasts are not created with the same intent, and this pic has nothing to do with breastfeeding. Do you think that pictures of topless models should be handed out to kids at schools?

I don't really care much. Its the people doing the passing and their intent where I place my care.

The only reason breasts are shocking to anyone is for lack of seeing them.