Justin Bieber's visit to Japan's Yasukuni war shrine ignites online backlash [View all]

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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