Something rotten in All Night Nippon
02/04/2008 @ 12:00 am
Popular Japanese songstress Kumi Koda has gotten into hot water by commenting on a radio program that she would like to have a child before she turns 35, “when women turn 35, their amniotic fluid goes rotten.” Koda committed the gaffe on the popular late night radio show “All Night Nippon,” when the host asked her if she was planning to have children.
Her remarks sparked an uproar among listeners prompting an apology by Koda, and her production company has canceled a number of her upcoming appearances apparently as punishment.
I guess if Kumi ever loses her job as an entertainer, she probably has a promising future as a Liberal Democratic Part politician.
Via TokyoGraph
Well, politicians have to be politically correct, but in my opinion, it shouldn’t be the case of artists.
I don’t get why an artist couldn’t have the right to say stupid things without getting into such trouble.
February 4th, 2008 at 3:02 amFreedom of expression doesn’t shield speakers from the consequences of a (non-government mandated) backlash such as this. She’s free to say such things but should be prepared to face the music.
As for the substance of what Ms. Koda said, it’s medically incorrect perhaps but there is no doubt that there are increasing risks (of deformity, failure to conceive, etc.) involved in having children after the age of 35. Could it be that she was speaking figuratively?
February 4th, 2008 at 3:34 amShe could have come to that conclusion anecdotally. But it is a really weird thing to say.
I always wanted to have a kid before I was 25, so I wouldn’t be a really old grandmother. (Of course, I can’t have kids at all, so the point is moot.) I imagine if I was famous and I said that during an interview, every woman over 25 would hate me.
But it wouldn’t be quite as weird as claiming that amniotic fluid rots.
February 4th, 2008 at 5:06 amIf the requirement now is that popstars speak intelligently, then perhaps they shouldn’t speak at all.
February 4th, 2008 at 10:23 amWhen a young girl said “ When women turn 35, their amniotic fluid goes rotten.” at the bar counter, nobody would care. Ms. Koda was just careless at the radio show.
A women with 35 years of age might be biologically old to give a first birth. But generally still young and OK whenever that women is pretty.
For Kumi Koda a women with 35 years old is middle aged, however I am not sure she(now 25) will regard herself as old when she turns 35.
February 4th, 2008 at 1:19 pm