The Japanese fuzz are on the hunt for shamed YouTube personality Logan Paul after his ‘insensitive’ video showing a man who’d killed himself in Japan’s notorious ‘suicide forest’.
22-year-old Paul – who boats over 15 million subscribers – issued a video apology after he was slated across the web for laughing with friends about a body they discovered hanging from a tree in the forest near the base of Mount Fuji.
Spokesman for the Yamanashi prefectural police, Masaki Ito, said they wish to speak to him, even if people are not obligated to report a body, report The Sun.
Paul and co are seen in the video – which has since been deleted – calling police and emergency officials.
Japanese authorities have declined to comment as they don’t usually do so when it comes to suicides.
In a tweet, Paul apologised for the ‘monsoon of negativity’ he caused.
Paul wrote:
This is a first for me. I’ve never faced criticism like this before, because I’ve never made a mistake like this before.
I’m surrounded by good people and believe I make good decision, but I’m still a human being. I can be wrong.
I didn’t do it for views. I get views. I did it because I thought I could make a positive ripple on the internet, not cause a monsoon of negativity. That’s never the intention.
I intended to raise awareness for suicide and suicide prevention and while I thought ‘if this video saves just ONE life, it’ll be worth it’, I was misguided by shock and awe, as portrayed in the video. I still am.
He added:
I do this sh*t every day. I’ve made a 15 minute TV show EVERY SINGLE DAY for the past 460+ days. One may understand that it’s easy to get caught up in the moment without fully weighing the possible ramifications.
I’m often reminded of how big of a reach I truly have & 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.
I love everyone. I believe in people. I’m out here. Peace.
Japan has one of the highest suicide rates in the world. Over 21,000 people end their own lives every year.
If you’ve been affected by any of the issues in the article, or have suicidal feelings, then please seek help.
The Samaritans are always on hand for those struggling, call their free number, 116 123.
