The Japanese Justice Ministry announced on August 22, 2026, that it would end its collaboration with the controversial Netflix dating show "Badly in Love." This decision comes in response to significant public backlash against the show, which some critics claim glorifies criminal behavior.

Earlier this month, the ministry had launched an unusual partnership with Netflix, promoting the show by releasing a poster featuring cast members from its second season, including heavily tattooed individuals. "Badly in Love" showcases Japan's delinquent subculture, known as _yankii_, by bringing together young men and women with troubled pasts, including former members of the yakuza and motorcycle gangs.

Since its debut in December, the show has gained unexpected popularity, consistently ranking in the top 10 in countries such as South Korea, Taiwan, and Hong Kong. The ministry's rehabilitation bureau had initially justified the collaboration, suggesting that the show's focus on the participants' difficult upbringings and their journeys toward personal growth aligned with their belief that individuals can change.

Despite this, the ministry faced mounting concerns and criticism regarding the potential discomfort the show could cause to victims of crime. In a statement, the ministry clarified that the collaboration was never intended to endorse or trivialize criminal acts. However, due to the backlash, they decided to terminate the partnership while emphasizing that this does not negate their commitment to rehabilitating those with criminal pasts.

One episode from Season 2 drew particular ire after a cast member revealed he had been arrested as a teenager for setting someone on fire to prove his bravery. In response to the controversy, Dai Ota, the executive producer of "Badly in Love," stated that the production team had engaged in extensive discussions before airing Season 1 to ensure the show would not be viewed as condoning violence. Ota expressed a desire to depict the young participants as individuals who, despite being marginalized, experience genuine struggles and growth.