Harada explained in a new interview that the words were taken out of context:
I have never explicitly stated that I want to make the stream paid, and I have not even considered it.
He noted that some events "charge for viewing or something like that" and added that he is "very interested" in observing such approaches. He emphasized that the Tekken World Tour "has not been in our business scope from the very beginning."
The discussion took place against the backdrop of the competitive Tekken 8 season. The Tekken World Tour 2025 finals will be held in Malmö, Sweden, in early 2026.