BEIJING, Aug 15 - Chinese officials on Sunday called for a boycott of a Chinese actor after photos of him at Tokyo's controversial Yasukuni Shrine circulated online and sparked outrage among Chinese netizens and media.
The Yasukuni Shrine is recognized as a symbol of Japan's neighboring countries' past militarism and remains a flashpoint for tension with China.
The shrine honours Japan's war dead, including 14 world war - leaders convicted of war crimes by an Allied tribunal. China, which was occupied by the Japanese from 1937 to 1945, takes offence at visits to the shrine.
The misbehaviour of actor Zhang Zhehan severely harms the nation’s sensational feeling and brings baneful influence to his young audience. Hence, we demand members not to engage him in any job, said the association in a statement on Sunday.
Zhang, 30, apologized on Chinese social media on Friday saying he is ashamed of his ignorance. Still, the public-backed People's Daily paid the burden of national dignity on Zhang.
More than 25 enterprises in China, including U.S. beverage maker Coca-Cola Co and Danish jeweller Pandora A S, have announced the termination of partnerships with Zhang.
Separately, Japan protested on Friday against a visit by Chinese Defence Minister Nobuo Kishi to the shrine.
Chinese Defense Ministry spokesman Wu Qian told reporters China was greatly dissatisfied and opposed to the visit.
The visit showed the wrong attitude with how Japan treated its historical invasion and its malicious intention in challenging the international order of post-war China, Wu said.
On this matter, China has lodged stern representation to Japan, Wu said.