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Pokémon Event Cancelled at Controversial Japan Shrine
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Pokémon Event Cancelled at Controversial Japan Shrine

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Marcus ChenMarcus Chen
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Pokémon Event Cancelled at Controversial Japan Shrine

The Pokémon Company has cancelled a Pokémon card game event at the Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo, Japan, following a backlash from China, with the company apologizing for advertising the event through its official website. The event, which was due to be held on Saturday, was criticized for being held at a shrine that honours Japan's war dead, including convicted war criminals. The cancellation comes at a time of worsening relations between China and Japan over the stance of Japan's new prime minister on Taiwan.

Key Highlights

  • The Pokémon Company cancelled a Pokémon card game event at the Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo, Japan
  • The event was criticized for being held at a shrine that honours Japan's war dead, including convicted war criminals
  • The cancellation comes at a time of worsening relations between China and Japan over the stance of Japan's new prime minister on Taiwan
  • The Pokémon Company apologized for advertising the event through its official website
  • The event was due to be held on Saturday, but was cancelled after a backlash from China
  • The Yasukuni Shrine is a controversial site that has long been a source of tension between Japan and China
  • The shrine honours Japanese soldiers who died in a number of wars, including both Sino-Japanese wars and the Pacific theatre of World War Two
  • The enshrinement of the names of more than 1,000 convicted war criminals among the roughly 2.5 million people it honours has made it a sensitive issue for nations that were subject to harsh treatment under Japanese occupation

The Deep Context

The Yasukuni Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in Tokyo, Japan, that honours the country's war dead, including those who died in World War Two. However, the shrine has been a source of controversy due to the enshrinement of convicted war criminals, including those responsible for atrocities committed during the war. This has made it a sensitive issue for nations that were subject to harsh treatment under Japanese occupation, including China and South Korea. As noted by the People's Daily, the official news site of the Chinese Communist Party, "Brands that disregard history and hurt the feelings of the Chinese people will ultimately be abandoned." The Global Times also criticized the event, stating that "Any entertainment or leisure activities held at such a site constitute an open affront to historical truth, and staging events aimed at children there is even more egregious." The Pokémon Company's decision to cancel the event comes at a time of worsening relations between China and Japan, with tensions rising over the stance of Japan's new prime minister on Taiwan. According to Reuters, the row between China and Japan has seen the governments of both nations urge their citizens not to travel to the other, while the release of two popular Japanese films in China were also postponed. The Pokémon Company has apologized for advertising the event through its official website, stating that it "should not have been held in the first place". As reported by MSN, the event was criticized for being held at a military memorial. The AP News also noted that the event was cancelled after a backlash from China.

Voices from the Streets

The cancellation of the event has been welcomed by many in China, who see it as a victory for those who have been campaigning against the shrine. As reported by the South China Morning Post, many Chinese citizens have taken to social media to express their outrage over the event, with some calling for a boycott of Pokémon products. However, others have criticized the Pokémon Company for bowing to pressure from China, arguing that the event was a private matter and that the company should not have apologized. According to Kotaku, the Pokémon Company has issued an apology after a listing appeared on its official site for a Pokémon TCG event said to be taking place at the Yasukuni Shrine. The Yahoo News also noted that the event was cancelled after a backlash from China.

Legislative & Jurisdictional Conflict

The cancellation of the event has highlighted the ongoing tensions between China and Japan over historical issues. The Yasukuni Shrine has long been a source of controversy, with many in China and South Korea seeing it as a symbol of Japanese militarism. The Japanese government has argued that the shrine is a private matter and that it is not responsible for the actions of individual companies. However, the Chinese government has called for Japan to take responsibility for its actions during the war and to apologize for its aggression. As reported by the BBC, the row between China and Japan has seen the governments of both nations urge their citizens not to travel to the other. The CNN also noted that the tensions between China and Japan have been rising over the past year.

Projections & Critical Questions

The cancellation of the event raises important questions about the role of private companies in sensitive historical issues. Should companies be allowed to host events at controversial sites, or do they have a responsibility to consider the potential impact on relations between nations? As noted by the Forbes, the Pokémon Company's decision to cancel the event may have significant implications for the company's business in China. The Bloomberg also reported that the cancellation of the event may have a significant impact on the company's revenue.

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