In 2022, NingNing, a Chinese member of the K-Pop group Aespa (stylized as aespa), posted about a lamp she bought, asking her followers what they thought of it. More than three years later, the post has resurfaced, leading to an online petition in Japan demanding that the group not perform on Kohaku Uta Gassen, the famous end-of-year music program on NHK. It has garnered more than 80,000 signatures in just over two days. So, why has an old post about a lamp sparked such outrage?
Japanese Netizens Call for NHK to Remove Aespa From Kohaku
The issue is that the lamp is shaped like a mushroom cloud, imagery associated with the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Underneath the picture, NingNing wrote, “I bought a cute lamp, what do you think?” Japanese netizens weren’t impressed, even though the post was from several years ago. On X, an account named Deathdol Note called for the suspension of Aespa’s appearance on Kohaku Uta Gassen. The tweet, which also has a link to the petition, has garnered more than 100 million views.
On the petition page, Deathdol Note wrote, “An Aespa member purchased an ‘atomic bomb model lamp’ reenacting the moment 110,000 citizens of Hiroshima and Nagasaki died instantly. Not only did she display it in her room, but she also posted, ‘I bought a cute lamp, what do you think?’
“This act treats a historical tragedy with flippancy. The atomic bombings rank among the most devastating and tragic events that humanity has ever experienced. Actions that demonstrate a lack of understanding or seem to trivialize this fact are perceived as irresponsible, not only toward the people of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, but toward all nations that cherish peace.
“Furthermore, permitting Aespa’s appearance on the traditional Japanese stage of Kohaku Uta Gassen risks condoning such behavior. Kohaku is a public forum with significant influence over many viewers; ignoring such a sensitive issue is unacceptable.”
On Wednesday, Hiroo Yamana, NHK’s executive director of media, addressed the issue at a press conference, saying, “The 37 groups we announced the other day, plus a special feature, I assume will be able to perform.”
Japan-China Tensions Continue To Grow
The furor over NingNing’s post comes amid sharply heightened political tension between Japan and China. Earlier this month, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi asserted that if China were to impose a naval blockade on Taiwan, it would likely constitute a “survival-threatening situation” that could force Japan to respond. Her remarks led to a threatening message posted on X by Xue Jian, China’s Consul General in Osaka.
On Sunday, China’s Ministry of Education issued an official warning advising Chinese nationals to “cautiously consider” whether they should study in Japan. That alert came just two days after the nation’s Foreign Ministry urged its citizens to refrain from visiting Japan for the time being. Hong Kong and Macau issued similar statements. On Wednesday, China informed Japan that it plans to ban all imports of Japanese seafood.
