Britt Jones
A controversial streamer is facing criminal charges after a series of offences overseas.
There has always been an unspoken rule when travelling, and that’s not to upset the locals.
However, this American Kick streamer went against the grain and committed a host of issues whilst on a trip to Japan.
Johnny Somali is a controversial figure within the streaming community, posting videos of him in everyday life and interactions.
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Though, on its own, this wouldn’t be an issue.
But Somali took it one step too far when he decided to bait Japanese locals and business owners with his rude remarks and public disturbances.
Now, he has been officially charged after getting arrested for blasting out loud music and causing a scene in an Osakan restaurant.
The vlogger came under fire initially after he was heard loudly making offensive remarks during his streams, with instances of him shouting the words ‘Hiroshima’ and ‘Nagasaki’ in public areas such as crowds and trains.
This has led Somali to have been confronted a number of times by Japanese locals and even other travellers, sometimes the interaction becoming physical.
However, this didn’t stop Somali creating one of his last scenes in September, where he was arrested for trespassing onto a construction site wearing a Halloween mask and had been pictured smiling as he was taken away.
Though he was released without further action, Japan’s Cabinet Secretary Matsuno addressed streamers like Somali to let them know that they were ‘invading privacy and causing a nuisance.’
His last stint in October would be the catalyst that would bring him to be stopped for good.
The streamer was arrested and charged after causing a disturbance in a beef bowl restaurant in Osaka’s Chuo Ward during a live stream.
Local news outlets and the Sankei Shimbun reported that Somali has officially been charged with ‘forceful obstruction of business’ for his music pollution as well as that he had been held by the authorities for questioning leading up to the charges being given.
According to reports from Kansai TV, Somali wasn’t the only person to be arrested, and that another man had been present during the restaurant incident, but he has not been charged as ‘the charges were insufficient.’
At present, Somali hasn’t been given charges for his trespassing event, and it’s unknown how long he is facing or whether any additional charges will be brought against him for his other offences whilst visiting Japan.