Nakamaru of KAT-TUN admires top Japanese war criminal; makes news amongst China netizens
During the Feb 18th episode of KAT-TUN's radio show Gatsun, Tanaka Koki and Nakamaru Yuichi did an usual segment of answering fan's questions. The following is a transcript of the conversation that took place:
*****
Fan Q: Which historical figure do you like the most?
Nakamaru: Tojo Hideki
Koki: Who is that? I can't remember
Nakamaru: He's from WWII
Koki: Oh, that's pretty recent
Nakamaru: Yes it's recent
Koki: Yes, so you like that period?
Nakamaru: Yes I like a lot of historical figures from 1914-1945
Koki: I thought you were going to say Showa or Meiji periods. But based on personality I don't think you would like the warlords.
Nakamaru: Yeah, I don't know them.
*****
A couple days ago a Chinese Johnny's fan heard this clip and was shocked and disgusted and posted it on Weibo (Chinese twitter). Soon Nakamaru's name was in the hot topics and trending near the top
(his name is #7 in the screencap and supposedly reached the top spot on current hot topics)
A crash course for those unfamiliar with Tojo Hideki.
He was the main Japanese prime minister and general during WWII. He is a facist and responsible for the invasion of China and Pearl Harbour attacks. Tojo is often considered responsible for authorizing the murder of more than 8 million civilians in China, Korea, the Philippines, Indochina, and other Pacific island nations, as well as tens of thousands of Allied POWs. He is also implicated in government-sanctioned experiments on POWs and Chinese civilians (see Unit 731). Like his German counterparts, Tojo often claimed to be carrying out orders; in his case those of the Emperor, who was granted immunity from war crimes prosecution.
He was convicted as a Class A war criminal and later enshrined in the controversial Yasukuni shrine. (due to housing him and other war criminals)
Chinese netizens were disturbed because Nakamaru mentioned the time period and does not seem uneducated about what happened then. Furthermore, the time period he mentioned coincides with WWI and WWII and also when Imperialism in Japan was at its utmost. Prior to this, Nakamaru was well-liked amongst Chinese Johnnys fans. Many fans expressed that "it's always the quiet ones", "never judge a character based on appearance". Some were worried this would give Japanese entertainers and Johnnys a bad reputation. Some fans defended Nakamaru. Others expressed that they were surprised seeing Nakamaru's name in the hot topics (since there aren't that many Jpop fans in China) and then finding out the reason.
In the past other Japanese celebs have created controversy in China and Korea when they visited Yasukuni shrine.
What do you guys think this says or doesn't say about Nakamaru's personality?
source 1
source 2
*****
Fan Q: Which historical figure do you like the most?
Nakamaru: Tojo Hideki
Koki: Who is that? I can't remember
Nakamaru: He's from WWII
Koki: Oh, that's pretty recent
Nakamaru: Yes it's recent
Koki: Yes, so you like that period?
Nakamaru: Yes I like a lot of historical figures from 1914-1945
Koki: I thought you were going to say Showa or Meiji periods. But based on personality I don't think you would like the warlords.
Nakamaru: Yeah, I don't know them.
*****
A couple days ago a Chinese Johnny's fan heard this clip and was shocked and disgusted and posted it on Weibo (Chinese twitter). Soon Nakamaru's name was in the hot topics and trending near the top
(his name is #7 in the screencap and supposedly reached the top spot on current hot topics)
A crash course for those unfamiliar with Tojo Hideki.
He was the main Japanese prime minister and general during WWII. He is a facist and responsible for the invasion of China and Pearl Harbour attacks. Tojo is often considered responsible for authorizing the murder of more than 8 million civilians in China, Korea, the Philippines, Indochina, and other Pacific island nations, as well as tens of thousands of Allied POWs. He is also implicated in government-sanctioned experiments on POWs and Chinese civilians (see Unit 731). Like his German counterparts, Tojo often claimed to be carrying out orders; in his case those of the Emperor, who was granted immunity from war crimes prosecution.
He was convicted as a Class A war criminal and later enshrined in the controversial Yasukuni shrine. (due to housing him and other war criminals)
Chinese netizens were disturbed because Nakamaru mentioned the time period and does not seem uneducated about what happened then. Furthermore, the time period he mentioned coincides with WWI and WWII and also when Imperialism in Japan was at its utmost. Prior to this, Nakamaru was well-liked amongst Chinese Johnnys fans. Many fans expressed that "it's always the quiet ones", "never judge a character based on appearance". Some were worried this would give Japanese entertainers and Johnnys a bad reputation. Some fans defended Nakamaru. Others expressed that they were surprised seeing Nakamaru's name in the hot topics (since there aren't that many Jpop fans in China) and then finding out the reason.
In the past other Japanese celebs have created controversy in China and Korea when they visited Yasukuni shrine.
What do you guys think this says or doesn't say about Nakamaru's personality?
source 1
source 2