Which The Simpsons episode was so controversial that it was banned overseas? Everything you need to know

Since its premiere on December 17, 1989, The Simpsons has seldom shied away from exploring controversial themes with its gags. Especially the episodes in which the titular family visits other countries are rife with comedy, often leading to intense debates and controversies.

One episode that gained quite a bit of notoriety for its depiction of another country’s culture is season 10 episode 23, titled Thirty Minutes Over Tokyo. It was deemed so offensive that it was outright banned in several countries, a status that continues to this day.

Thirty Minutes Over Tokyo contains several elements that reportedly did not sit well with the Japanese authorities. Not only has the episode never aired in Japan, but it is also unavailable for streaming on Disney+ in Japan.

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What happens in The Simpsons season 10 episode 23?

The title of the episode is a reference to the war film Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo. The summary of the episode on IMDb reads:

“The Simpsons must perform on a Japanese game show after Homer loses their money on a vacation.”

The episode begins with Homer Jay Simpson losing his money to an online scam. However, after attending the Chuck Garabedian Mega-Savings Seminar, he learns that the family can afford a vacation by buying unclaimed airline tickets at a reduced price.

The only downside is that they would not know their flight's destination until very late. As luck would have it, the family finds themselves on a plane to Japan. While Lisa becomes very interested in exploring the local culture, Bart and Homer attend a sumo match.

There, they encounter Emperor Akihito, the then emperor of Japan, and after a series of misadventures, Homer accidentally throws him into a receptacle of worn mawashi (the loincloth the sumo wrestlers wear during training or a match).

Meanwhile, Homer again loses money in a silly fashion while trying to fold the paper currency into an origami crane. The family then has to compete in the game show called The Happy Smile Super Challenge Family Wish Show before they can leave the country.

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Why was the episode deemed offensive?

The most important factor behind the episode’s ban in Japan is its depiction of the reigning emperor of Japan, Emperor Akihito. Not only is this respected figure parodied in the episode, but he is also thrown into a box of sumo thongs.

Furthermore, sumo is not the only Japanese cultural element that season 10 episode 23 ridicules. The episode also mocks the country’s cartoon industry, lampoons its fishing industry, and the culture of its game shows.

Additionally, other stereotypes are presented in a seemingly negative light. For instance, during the game show, the frequent volcanic eruptions in Japan are referenced in what can be deemed a light-hearted manner.

Moreover, when the Simpsons are fleeing the country, their flight is stopped by Godzilla, Mothra, Gamera, and Rodan. These cultural stereotypes are explored in a way that did not please the Japanese audience when the episode aired. Thus, season 10 episode 23 of the series was banned in Japan upon its release.

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All episodes of The Simpsons are available to stream on Disney+.