I mean, it’s not the only reason and there were factors that played a role (the earthquake, school), but it was pretty well known at the time that it was a big part of his decision making. The commenters on NBC’s b-roll mentioned that he used to go back and forth between Japan and Canada more, but after 2014 the media pressure caused him to stay almost exclusively in Canada for a long time. They were people who would know, being former skaters who are still friends with a lot of skaters.

So I think you’re misinterpreting what I said to suit your narrative. As I said in my post it was “in part” - a part that played an undeniable role in causing a more full time move to Canada than he had had previously.