The BBC have released acclaimed documentary The Contestant for free, but what happened to Nasubi and how much money did he get for being on the cruel reality show?
Released on the BBC iPlayer for free on Wednesday (June 18), The Contestant tells the true story of a man who lived for 15 months trapped inside a small room.
In 1998 rising comedian Tomoaki Hamatsu, nicknamed Nasubi, was left naked, starving, alone and completely unaware that his life was being broadcast on national TV to over 17 million viewers a week.
Believing he was going to an audition when a Japanese TV producer enlisted him to take part in a challenge, Nasubi was led into a room, ordered to strip naked and left with a stack of magazines.
To complete the task, Nasubi was told that he had to fill out contest coupons to win what he needed to survive, including food, clothing and appliances.
While he was told that the challenge would end once reached the prize goal of one million yen, Nasubi decided not to leave at any point despite the door being left unlocked.
The documentary’s synopsis reads: “What Nasubi didn’t realise was that his experiences were being broadcast to over 15 million people in a TV show called Denpa Shōnen: A Life in Prizes. Without his knowledge or consent, Nasubi became the most famous television personality in Japan.
“Combining clips from the show with previously unseen footage, alongside interviews with Nasubi, his family and Denpa Shōnen’s producer, this is the incredible story of a how one man became a national phenomenon that presaged the global rise of reality TV.”
After completing his time on Denpa Shōnen, Nasubi admitted that he struggled for months to feel comfortable wearing clothes due to being used to being nude.
Additionally, it took Nasubi time to readjust to being in society as a result of being on his own for over a year.
Nasubi revealed in a 2024 Reddit AMA: “I’m doing well now, people around me support me, I have a lot to be grateful for. Even if you get hurt, you can recover, especially with help from other people. A little happiness can go a long way.”
On top of climbing Mt. Everest in 2016, Nasubi has continued working as a comedian and as an actor, appearing in Densha Otoko, Trick and Atashinchi no Danshi.
Outside of his work, Nasubi has worked as an advocate and as an activist for a number of charities, including raising awareness for his hometown of Fukushima, which was struck by an earthquake, tsunami and subsequent nuclear disaster in 2011.
He told the Associated Press last year: “I want everyone to know the people of Fukushima are working hard. Life is gradually returning to what used to be in the exclusion zones.
“Of course, I realize the road to decommissioning the nuclear plants is still a long battle. But I would like people to know the Fukushima of today, feel hope by visiting Fukushima and watch Fukushima rebuild.”
Reflecting on his time on Denpa Shōnen, Nasubi revealed to Decider that he was paid about 10 million yen for his 15 months on the show, which translates to around £48,000.
“I didn’t do this to gain money. Have I gotten a reasonable amount that I deserve? No, probably not to your standard. The [amount] of money that I have received was way more than an amount than a college kid could earn in a year.
“At that time, that was massive. But looking back, did I get enough? That, I’m not sure,” he stated.
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