The abrupt disappearance of Japanese broadcaster NHK's special website has sparked unrest among the public. The site, which had been serving as a platform for numerous public initiatives, was closed without prior notification, prompting users to react. The reaction included online petitions, garnering significant support. Despite it happening quite recently, the incident continues to be a hot topic prompting major discussions about the need for proper communication and maintaining digital data.

In Japan, NHK's reputation as a trustworthy public broadcasting organization means its actions are heavily scrutinized for public interest. The unexpected shutdown of a major platform for public initiatives has come as a shock. The event highlights the importance of digital platforms and data preservation in Japan's tech-reliant society and further reinforces the public's expectation for transparency and communication when it comes to the management of public platforms.

Similar events in the US or EU often also lead to controversy. Stewardship of digital platforms is seen as a public trust and sudden changes can face backlash. The uproar following the unannounced shutdown of sites like Google Reader in the US, exemplifies the impact such actions can have on the public.