FILIPINO dance group Femme MNL drew heavy criticism from Japanese netizens after performing an impromptu dance number near the busy Shibuya Crossing in Tokyo.
In a video posted on Instagram, the group was seen dancing in the middle of pedestrian traffic while hundreds crossed the intersection.
“Touchdown Japan mga acclaaaa. Thank you Lord for your guidance and for making all things possible — truly a dream come true,” the group wrote in the caption.
But Japanese viewers were far from impressed. Many took to the comments section—translated from Japanese—to condemn the performance:
“This is no place to dance. So annoying.”
“Permission to use or ban?”
“Learn the rules of Japan and get permission and post it in a video.”
“No no no, did you get permission?”
“I thought it was a caring country, but it’s a surprisingly selfish ethnicity! I’ll remember that.”
“Dancing on the road—wish you could dance under a bridge. I’m really annoyed. Yeah, I was there. You guys were laughing out loud while filming the video. And a lot of people were staring at you. Older people too.”
“I don’t think this is good. Self-satisfaction? I’m annoyed.”
“This is normally annoying.”
“Why do they do this in Japan? I really don’t understand. It’s in the way of passing, too lack of manners. It’s obvious that we should just have fun!! It was so disgusting not being able to see around me.”
“I’m in the Philippines. Why are we going viral in our country? I respect your country. Why insult us Japanese?”
Femme MNL responded to the backlash, insisting they were not obstructing anyone:
“Beh!!! WE ARE NOT IN THE CROSSING AREA! We are not in the intersection lane. Wala kami naharangan at nababangga. Ok lang ba? Nood muna video bago makisali sa pambabash… Nagkataon lang nacontent kami nung milat sa FB at madaming nakiepal… or ayaw lang talaga sa bakla? Haha.”
They added that while some reactions were “mostly homophobic,” many viewers enjoyed the video. “Beh Shibuya yon, hello???? Buti kung nasa residential area kami diba—yun talaga, mejo off! Madami nagti-TikTok don beb, street performances, basking at pictorial… So bilangin natin sino nagalit, sino natuwa? Tally natin? Haha!”
📸: Femme MNL/Instagram
