Justin Bieber's visit to Japan's Yasukuni war shrine ignites online backlash

[bananas]

Source: Sydney Morning Herald

Justin Bieber has a habit of getting into trouble, but nothing may have quite prepared the Canadian pop star for the scale of the geopolitical situation he just got himself into in Japan.

The problem arose when the 20-year-old posted two photos to his Instagram page that appeared to show his visit to the Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo. Both pictures have now been deleted, but not before they spread around the world. The reaction visible online has been largely negative.

Bieber doesn't appear to know what the Yasukuni Shrine is; he simply says "thank you for your blessings" with the first picture. But to many of his 16 million Instagram followers in Asia, Yasukuni is perhaps one of the most offensive locations on Earth.

Boy genius Justin Beiber has paid his respects at the Yasukuni shrine. You can't make this stuff up. On ANZAC day, no less, – George Henderson (@puddleg) April 23, 2014

Justin Beiber visits Yasukuni War Shrine. Clearly looking to broaden his Japan demographic. – Lucky Neneh (@LuckyNeneh) April 23, 2014

Justin Beiber = class A idiot . Yasukuni Shrine, really? Not only did he just lose every Chinese fan he ever had but also spreading hate. – David Schmidt (@DavidSchmidt) April 23, 2014

Yasukuni is a shrine to the 2.5 million men, women and children who died serving the Japanese Empire between 1868 and 1945. Controversially, those honoured include thousands of soldiers from World War II, and as of 1978, 14 Class A war criminals.

Bieber, in a later Instagram post, apologised for the visit.

"I was mislead [sic] to think the Shrines were only a place of prayer," the post said. "To anyone I have offended I am extremely sorry. I love you China and I love you Japan."

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Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/world/justin-biebers-visit-to-japans-yasukuni-war-shrine-ignites-online-backlash-20140424-zqygc.html

[onehandle]

1. 15 minutes of fame expiration, long overdue. nt

[KansDem]

9. Really, he's used his all up...

...as well as the 15 minutes of several other people.

[Ztolkins]

2. This guy just can't catch a break.

[Champion Jack]

3. Or a clue

[BlueStreak]

4. This piling on is ridiculous. How many people here would have known better?

He has made some big mistakes, but this ain't one of them. If you have a problem with that shrine, then see the Japanese about it.

[A Simple Game]

5. Of course you are right, I wouldn't have known.

Then again I don't stand to lose millions of fans because of my ignorance.

This guy needs to get a competent staff and listen to them. Other celebrities don't make these mistakes. It's called google, millions use it daily.

[AtheistCrusader]

6. Yeah, he's been living in America for some time now.

Not surprised he has no clue.

Then again, this is what his PR/Rep are for, to know this sort of geopolitical land mine, right? No Christmas bonus for them.

[BlueStreak]

17. Did you know about that shrine before this news came out?

I did not. If I were visiting Japan, I could have made the same mistake as Bieber.

There are plenty of things to criticize him about, such as crappy music and drunk driving. But this is ridiculous.

[AtheistCrusader]

21. I did know about it, but only because

it was in the news a couple years back, when some WWII observances that caused some discomfort hit the news.

I certainly never heard about it in school.

[Xyzse]

11. Don't like him, but you're right.

I am Asian as well, but I chalked this up to general lack of knowledge.
He was actually trying to be respectful, so, I'd give him a break on this one.

[Journeyman]

12. It's why, if I had his money, I'd hire knowledgeable people to advise me. . .

Only a bloomin' idiot wanders about the world in unguarded ignorance.

[BlueStreak]

18. I don't think you can prevent this kind of thing. We live in a work of outrage machines

If this shrine is so outrageous, then why is the vitriol not directed where it belongs -- at Japan?

A figure of Bieber's celebrity will have people trying to score a headline off of everything he does. It is the Faux News, National Enquirer syndrome. The only way to avoid that is to be a hermit, and I don't think it is reasonable to expect Bieber to live like Howard Hughes.

It won't be long before the guy does something dickish that really deserves criticism. Please be patient.

[JVS]

7. Possible outcome: Justin Bieber's popularity in China skyrockets after offending Japanese at shrine.

[hack89]

8. That shrine commemorates soldiers that massacred millions of Chinese

No - the Chinese will not be happy. Imagine how Jewish fans would feel if he visited an SS cemetery.

[FSogol]

14. Like Reagan did?

[hack89]

15. Reagan was a fool. So is Bieber.

Do you remember how many people Reagan pissed off with that stunt?

[FSogol]

16. Everything that fuck ever did pissed me off. n/t

[Art_from_Ark]

23. Reagan laid a wreath at Bitburg and he knew Nazis were buried there

Last edited Fri Apr 25, 2014, 02:58 AM - Edit history (1)

And Reagan was doing it in an official capacity.

But here is how he rationalized it:

"These [SS troops] were the villains, as we know, that conducted the persecutions and all. But there are 2,000 graves there, and most of those, the average age is about 18. I think that there's nothing wrong with visiting that cemetery where those young men are victims of Nazism also, even though they were fighting in the German uniform, drafted into service to carry out the hateful wishes of the Nazis. They were victims, just as surely as the victims in the concentration camps"

He might have pissed off some people with that visit, but the controversy quickly died down. He was, after all, the "Teflon President".

[okieinpain]

10. this is what happens when you hire

Your smoking bud as your PR person. Lol.

[Mr. Evil]

13. Let's just face the fact that he is a young tool.

Hopefully to soon become a forgotten, used up tool.

[tarheelsunc]

19. He had a pretty big Chinese fanbase. Now it's gone. eom

[penultimate]

20. Isn't he old enough to not be such an idiot?

[phleshdef]

22. Who gives a shit?