Over 70,000 Japanese Netizens Sign Petition To Stop aespa From Performing On A Japanese End-year Show, What Happened?

As China and Japan practically strengthen a “ban on each other’s country’s idols,” groups that include Japanese members are being hit in China, and teams with Chinese members are facing damage in Japan.

Recently, a petition asking for SM’s group aespa to not appear on next month’s NHK year-end special program “Kōhaku Uta Gassen” gained over 70,000 signatures.

The petition request was posted on the global petition platform Change saying their appearance should be stopped.

Ningning, in 2022 on the fan platform Bubble, posted lighting that reminded viewers of a “mushroom cloud” formed after an atomic bomb explosion, and she received criticism in Japan at the time. The petitioner argued, “Kōhaku Uta Gassen is an important official event in Japan. If behavior lacking historical awareness is tolerated, it will not only damage Japan’s international image but also hurt the victims of the Hiroshima atomic bombing.”

Since aespa is set to hold solo concerts next April at Tokyo Dome and Kyocera Dome Osaka, there is growing attention on what decision NHK will make.

Sing Tao Daily said regarding this situation, “There is talk that aespa has emerged as the biggest victim in the recent phase of China–Japan diplomatic tension,” and analyzed, “Whether aespa will be able to stand on stage as scheduled may become a barometer to gauge the tension level of China–Japan relations.”

What do you think of this controversy?

Source: (A)