Chinese actor Zhang Zhehan faces domestic boycott over 2018 photos at Japan’s Yasukuni Shrine
- The semi-official China Association of Performing Arts says a public figure has no excuse for ignorance and asks members to boycott Zhang
- Its statement, on anniversary of Japan’s defeat in World War II, follows Zhang’s apology for photos at shrine where Japanese war criminals are interred
The China Association of Performing Arts, a semi-official organisation, on Sunday proposed to boycott the 30-year-old actor, who co-stars in Word of Honour, a hit television series in China. Zhang had already lost his endorsements after being dropped by more than 25 companies.
“The Yasukuni Shrine is a spiritual tool and symbol of Japanese militarism for waging foreign wars of aggression, and a place for Japan’s right-wing forces to deny history and glorify wars of aggression,” the association said in a statement.
The shrine is a site where convicted war criminals are interred and is viewed by Japan’s neighbours as a potent symbol of its wartime legacy. Sunday marks the 76th anniversary of Japan’s defeat.
The association said it had asked its members to boycott Zhang because his “behaviour was seriously inappropriate and not only hurt national feelings but also had a negative impact on the young audience”. It said that there was no excuse for ignorance from a public figure.
Social media platform Weibo on Sunday announced that Zhang’s account had been suspended.