RIIZE's Sungchan faces backlash from Japanese fans for his recent comment about sushi + K-netizens react

A recent onstage remark made by RIIZE's Sungchan is stirring controversy amongst Japanese fans.

On September 2, while casually interacting with the fans during 'Show! Music Core's pre-recording of "Memories," Sungchan initially expressed his preference for sushi over pizza for dinner, only to swiftly change his mind, signaling 'no' with his fingers making an 'x' sign.

The statement, as netizens dissect on an online forum, reportedly reflects Sungchan's concern about the reported dangers of consuming raw fish, following Japan's recent radioactive wastewater release from the Fukushima nuclear power facility into the Pacific Ocean.

Japanese fans took to social media and left words such as: "I can't believe he just naturally made a remark downgrading Japan when his fellow Japanese member Shotaro was right there. [...] Japan and South Korea will never be able to improve their relations," "This is about 10,000 worse than the Sushi Land comment. Has he forgotten that Shotaro is Japanese?"

As a result, Sungchan's name trended on Twitter (X) in Japan, and K-netizens also responded to this issue. On an online forum, the majority responded that Sungchan was merely referring to the possible dangers of eating raw seafood despite the amount of discharge, and that, "in fact, Shotaro shouldn't eat it either," according to this logic.

K-netizens' reactions include:

"I don't know why they think this is a debate about nationalism"
"I will remember Sungchan's name from now on...he can think"
"Why is he getting hate? He is only being careful"
"Isn't Shotaro just a scapegoat for all those haters? Save Shotaro"
"Shouldn't Shotaro not eat it either? lol"
"You all should be careful and not eat it..."
"LOL then how will you defend your stance about the waste discharge?"
"It hasn't been long since the waste discharge so it's natural for people to be careful"
"Okay...you all can eat a bunch of it...go ahead..."
"I don't think Shotaro would be happy about eating it either???"

What are your thoughts?