American YouTuber Logan Paul is being criticised for uploading a video showing a dead body in Japan’s Aokigahara Suicide Forest.
In the 15 minute video, Paul and his friends are seen visiting Aokigahara forest at the base of Mt Fuji. The forest is also known as ‘Suicide Forest’ due to it being a site of frequent suicides.
Paul, who has over 15 million subscribers on YouTube, ventures into the forest with his friends to document its “haunted” presence. However, the group soon discover a dead body hanging from a tree. The group are clearly shocked but also make jokes.
Paul’s vlog was posted on Sunday and reportedly had millions of views before being taken down after receiving a barrage of online criticism.
“How dare you! You disgust me,” wrote Breaking Bad actor Aaron Paul. “I can’t believe that so many young people look up to you. So sad. Hopefully this latest video woke them up. You are pure trash. Plain and simple. Suicide is not a joke. Go rot in hell.”
“Wow @LoganPaul‘s newest video is an absolute disgrace,” commented one Twitter user. “Exploiting suicide & mental illness for views and money is sickening. A new low for click-baiting, even for him. It’s unacceptable & @YouTube should remove this immediately. So disrespectful to that person and their family.”
“Take a long hard look at what you are doing with your popularity young man. Find a mentor and perhaps log off for a moment,” said another.
Dear @LoganPaul,
How dare you! You disgust me. I can’t believe that so many young people look up to you. So sad. Hopefully this latest video woke them up. You are pure trash. Plain and simple. Suicide is not a joke. Go rot in hell.
Ap
— Aaron Paul (@aaronpaul_8) January 2, 2018
Hey Logan Paul, You want to be the first social media billionaire? By exploiting the death of a troubled youth? Take a long hard look at what you are doing with your popularity young man. Find a mentor and perhaps log off for a moment. @LoganPaul #beahumanfirst
— Dr. Mike Varshavski (@RealDoctorMike) January 2, 2018
Wow @LoganPaul‘s newest video is an absolute disgrace. Exploiting suicide & mental illness for views and money is sickening. A new low for click-baiting, even for him. It’s unacceptable & @YouTube should remove this immediately. So disrespectful to that person and their family.
— Kendall Rae💫 (@KendallRaeOnYT) January 2, 2018
I can’t even put together a tweet acknowledging the Logan Paul Suicide Forrest video.
All I will say is that I think at this point there is an actual disconnect from reality where the Paul brothers have started to only think in terms of viewership, growth, and click bait.
— Michael J. Murphy (@MikeyMurphy) January 2, 2018
The worst part is Logan Paul’s cult fan base is little children. Who just watched their idol laugh and joke as someone ended their life. Garbage person.
— Francis Maxwell (@francismmaxwell) January 2, 2018
I honestly can’t believe that people are actually defending Logan Paul. Like, what’s wrong with our humanity?
— Tara Fraser (@Simmy3Tara) January 2, 2018
Logan has since issued a public apology on Twitter, stating that his intention was “to raise awareness for suicide and suicide prevention” and that he “didn’t do it for the views”. The 22-year-old added “with great power comes great responsibility… for the first time in my life I’m regretful to say I handled that power incorrectly. It won’t happen again”.
Dear Internet, pic.twitter.com/42OCDBhiWg
— Logan Paul (@LoganPaul) January 2, 2018
Various channels on YouTube have uploaded Logan’s video. Viewer discretion advised.
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Suicide in Japan is a serious concern for the government, especially ‘karoshi, which is death from overworking that accounts for around 100 suicides per year according to Business Standard.
Past efforts to curb the problem of karoshi include taking special work naps known as ‘inemuri’ and firms participating in ‘premium Fridays’, where employees leave early. Tokyo governor Yuriko Koike even ordered workers to leave their desks by 8pm.
Most recently, a firm in Japan is planning to use drones to force employees to leave the office in an effort to tackle overworking to death.
