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“Ryutaro Nonomura's Crying Apology” meme: meaning, origin and rare card

This meme captures the public breakdown of Ryutaro Nonomura, a Japanese politician who broke down in tears during a 2014 press conference.

MyMemeCards editorial teamPublished 8 min read
Ryutaro Nonomura's Crying Apology meme
The “Ryutaro Nonomura's Crying Apology” meme, 2014

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In MyMemeCards, the meme card game, “Ryutaro Nonomura's Crying Apology” is a rare card of the Memes World series 72, number 21457 of the collection, and the 153rd best-known meme of its 300 cards. Here is what the meme means, where it comes from, and how to get its card.

What does the “Ryutaro Nonomura's Crying Apology” meme mean?

The image symbolizes a sudden, public emotional collapse in response to an accusation or mistake. It expresses shame, confusion, and sometimes hypocrisy when a defense turns into a theatrical drama. It is used to comment on situations where someone completely loses their composure under pressure, blending pathos with ridicule in a professional or personal crisis context.

Where does the “Ryutaro Nonomura's Crying Apology” meme come from?

The footage comes from a press conference held on July 1, 2014, in Kobe, Japan. Ryutaro Nonomura, then a councilor of the Hyogo Prefectural Assembly, was responding to suspicions of irregular use of nearly three million yen in political expenses. Instead of offering a clear apology, he began screaming, crying, and slamming the table, claiming he wanted to change society while accusing journalists of misunderstanding him. Broadcast by Japanese television and later shared on YouTube and NicoNico, the clip went viral due to the stark contrast between the seriousness of the allegations and the intense, deemed inconsistent, nature of his reaction.

  1. 2014Press conference in Kobe on July 1, 2014, recorded and widely broadcast.

How to use the “Ryutaro Nonomura's Crying Apology” meme

  • Share this image to mock a colleague who panics excessively during a tense meeting.
  • Comment on a tweet where a public figure starts yelling to defend themselves against legitimate criticism.
  • Illustrate a personal situation where a small mistake triggered a disproportionate and embarrassing reaction.

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The “Ryutaro Nonomura's Crying Apology” card in MyMemeCards

Ryutaro Nonomura's Crying Apology card
NumberNo. 21457
RarityRare
CollectionMemes World series 72
Fame68/100 · #153 of 300
Recycle value10 MemeCoins (30 in Shiny)
Rarities of the Memes World series 72: 300 cards
  • Rare300100%

How to get the “Ryutaro Nonomura's Crying Apology” card

Every pack holds 5 meme cards, the first 3 of them Common; Ryutaro Nonomura's Crying Apology comes out of the Memes World series 72 as a rare card. The pack odds say what each rarity weighs.

Your first pack is free and needs no account. After that a new free pack lands every 10 minutes, up to 3 waiting for you. You can also buy the card with MemeCoins on the market, bid for it at auction, or trade it — and a double recycles into 10 MemeCoins.

Open your free pack

5 meme cards, one of them at least Rare. One free pack per person.

Free · no account needed

Odds per card, averaged over a pack: Common 72%, Rare 23.9%, Epic 3.2%, Legendary 0.56%, Mythic 0.3%, Full Art ≤ 0.1%, Shiny 0.2%. Cards 1 to 3 are always Common, cards 4 and 5 climb the rarities. Rates drop for cards that circulate a lot. Details

Memes like “Ryutaro Nonomura's Crying Apology”

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Frequently asked questions

Who is Ryutaro Nonomura?

He is a former councilor of the Hyogo Prefectural Assembly in Japan, known for this 2014 press conference where he lost his composure facing accusations of misusing public funds.

Why was Ryutaro Nonomura crying?

He was accused of irregularly using about three million yen in political expenses. His breakdown was a defensive and theatrical response to journalists' questions.

What does the Ryutaro Nonomura meme mean?

It refers to a public emotional collapse, often seen as exaggerated or hypocritical, in response to a fault or criticism. It highlights the contrast between the severity of the accusation and the dramatic reaction of the person involved.

Is the meme based on a real video?

Yes, it is a recording of a real press conference held in Kobe in July 2014, widely relayed by Japanese and international media since then.

How do I get the Ryutaro Nonomura's Crying Apology meme card?

Open a pack of MyMemeCards: “Ryutaro Nonomura's Crying Apology” is a rare card of the Memes World series 72. Your first pack is free, with no account, and you can also buy, trade or win the card at auction.

How rare is the Ryutaro Nonomura's Crying Apology card?

It is a Rare card. Rarity decides which pack slot can deal it, and what it is worth on the market.

Sources: Un député japonais craque pendant ses excuses publiques · Sobbing Japan Politician Whose Apology Went Viral Offers to Quit · Politicians Who Completely Lost It On Camera - Grunge · checked on October 13, 2026.

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