Voice Actress Megumi Hayashibara Sparks Controversy with Blog Post

Legendary voice actress Megumi Hayashibara, best known for voicing Rei Ayanami in Neon Genesis Evangelion, has come under fire following a blog post she published on June 8. According to Japanese news outlet J-CAST News, her comments—touching on politics, immigration, and social shifts in Japan—have stirred heated discussion online.

Hayashibara’s Remarks on Rice Shortage and Foreign Influence

Japan is currently experiencing a rice shortage, which has become a serious topic nationwide. The situation became even more tense after a government minister resigned following a tone-deaf comment claiming he had “never needed to buy rice,” sparking public outrage.

Amidst this crisis and growing concerns over the influx of foreign tourists and residents, Hayashibara shared the following message on her personal blog:

“No rice? In Japan?
Free aid for some international students. The distorted truth that Japanese students must repay scholarships (which are essentially loans).

Don’t leave it to others—you need to go vote.
We’ve reached a point where ‘nothing will change’ is no longer an excuse.

If things keep going this way, what is ‘Japanese’ in Japan will disappear—manners, values, technology, and even anime as a form of expression.

We’re seeing foreign tourists carving into bamboo in Kyoto, disrespecting shared spaces, and ignoring social etiquette.
We need regulations. We need action.

This is like native Japanese crayfish being devoured by invasive species. Even unwritten customs, like lining up in an orderly fashion, could vanish.

I’m not blaming any specific country.

But Japan’s taxes should first go to those who pay them (this includes foreign residents who pay taxes, of course).
Is it nationalistic to want taxpayer money used for students supporting Japan or for disaster relief areas?

If Japan falls apart, we won’t be able to welcome anyone.
Misused political funds are worse, sure—but eligible voters (18 and older) need to reflect on the importance of their vote.

Speaking on politics is difficult, after all.”

Online Reaction: Japan vs. the World

At the time of the initial report, her blog post and coverage on Yahoo! Japan had already garnered over 700 comments. The majority of Japanese readers appeared supportive, viewing her remarks as a reflection of everyday frustrations.

Some online comments from Japanese users include:

• “No one on Twitter sees this as far-right. Everyone’s just agreeing with Megumi Hayashibara.”

• “This is the honest voice of regular Japanese people. The ones getting angry are Koreans, Chinese, and Kurds. Deport them already.”

• “If you’re Japanese, it’s only natural to feel this way.”

• “Let’s be clear: the problem is foreign parasites who don’t follow rules. We need laws to deal with them.”

• “Honestly, I didn’t think what she said was that harsh.”

• “Who would’ve thought the Korean left and Japanese far-right would unite in their reactions?”

• “Will she get blacklisted like [voice actress] Ai Kayano? I hope not.”

Comments from Japanese Citizens

Among the many responses, some thoughtful comments stood out on Japanese news platforms:

Comment with 1,482 likes:

“I agree with Hayashibara’s sentiment. Japanese taxes should prioritize Japanese needs. There’s clearly a problem with tourists disregarding local manners. Even in South Korea, people talk openly about immigration issues and the behavior of Chinese tourists.
If we silence public figures for expressing these concerns, we’ll end up in a society where free speech is constantly suppressed. While I wouldn’t say this under my real name, I respect Hayashibara for speaking up.”

Comment with 866 likes:

“She’s saying what many of us feel. The government always prioritizes foreigners.
We need to invest more in struggling Japanese citizens.
Scholarships for Japanese students often turn into burdensome debt—this needs to change.”

Comment with 895 likes:

“Why is Hayashibara being criticized?
All she said was that tax money should help Japanese people first, and that rule-breaking foreigners need to face consequences.
It’s a completely reasonable take. I hope more public figures speak out like she did.”

Global Backlash and Cultural Divide

Outside of Japan, however, the tone has been much more critical. Professor Jeffrey J. Hall from Kanda University of International Studies posted about the controversy on Bluesky and Twitter (now X). While many Bluesky users condemned Hayashibara’s comments as xenophobic, responses on X were more divided—some supported her, even echoing her concerns.

Some online users accused Hayashibara of “right-wing nationalism,” and a Nazi-themed fanart of her Evangelion character Rei began circulating. Others took offense at her comparing foreigners to invasive species, calling her remarks dehumanizing.

There were also references to the manga Drama Queen, where aliens receive better treatment than humans—used to illustrate perceived inequality.

A Growing Tension in Japan

The Japanese yen has fallen significantly in recent years, attracting a surge in foreign tourists and workers. This influx has led to a rise in behavioral clashes and cultural tensions.

For instance, in April 2024, local authorities blocked access to Mt. Fuji after tourists repeatedly broke etiquette rules. Similarly, parts of Kyoto’s historic streets were closed off to foreign visitors due to disruptive behavior.

Given this context, Hayashibara’s comments seem to resonate with a portion of the Japanese population frustrated by these recent changes.