Amid heightened tensions between China and Japan, sparked by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s controversial remarks regarding potential intervention in a Taiwan crisis, Chinese aespa member Ningning has unexpectedly found herself at the center of political and cultural controversy.
Some Japanese right-wing internet users recently demanded NHK block Ningning from appearing on the prestigious year-end music show Kōhaku Uta Gassen, citing a past Instagram post from 2022. In the post, Ningning shared a photo of a lamp resembling a mushroom cloud, the iconic shape formed after an atomic bomb explosion, and captioned it, “I bought a cute light.”
Critics claimed the post was insensitive and trivialized the atomic bomb tragedies of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. One user even launched a petition on Change.org, alleging that her presence on Kōhaku could “hurt the feelings of atomic bomb victims” due to her alleged “mockery of historical tragedy.”
However, NHK has firmly rejected these accusations. According to a report by Sankei Shimbun, NHK’s Executive Director Hiroo Yamana stated during a National Public Safety Commission session on December 2, “There is no issue with Ningning’s appearance.”
In response to questioning from Ishii Mitsuko, a member of the Japan Innovation Party, Yamana clarified that NHK confirmed with aespa’s agency that Ningning had no intention to mock or trivialize the atomic bombings.
He added, “NHK selects performers based on their achievements during the year, public support, and whether they align with the program’s concept and direction. These decisions are made independently.”
Sources: Daum
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