Justin Bieber Apologizes for Visiting Shrine for Japanese War Criminals

Justin Bieber has graduated from knowingly offending people to indirectly doing it. The Biebs is back in the headlines over a photo he posted to Instagram in which he visits the Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo. Sounds innocuous enough, but it takes on an entirely different shade of awkward upon the realization that the Shrine has long been a major bone of contention between China and Japan. This is because it honors Japan’s fallen soldiers from World War II - including the war criminals who committed unspeakable atrocities in Asia. Thus, when Bieber posted a photo bowing his head at the shrine's entrance with the caption, “Thank you for your blessings,” he inadvertently offended many of the Chinese fans he apparently has.

In an expression of genuine regret, Bieber posted an apology to Instagram: “While in Japan I asked my driver to pull over for which I saw a beautiful shrine. I was mislead to think the Shrines were only a place of prayer. To anyone I have offended I am extremely sorry. I love you China and I love you Japan.”

Credit: Open Road Films

Unfortunately, the apology, no matter how heartfelt, doesn't seem to be enough to sway the tide of public opinion. Chinese fans have turned their back on Bieber, declaring he's no longer welcome in their country. However, since fans aren't legally capable of dictating who's allowed in their country or not (trust us Yanks, we tried deporting the guy), the matter was left to the Chinese government. Enter Qin Gang, a spokesman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, who commented on the entire debacle: “I’m not aware of this situation and I don’t know the political opinion of the so-called Canadian famous singer. But China’s position on the Yasukuni shrine is clear-cut. We are firmly opposed to the Japanese leaders’ visit to the Yasukuni shrine, where World War II second-class criminals are honored.”

So what do you think? Should Bieber be forgiven? Is China overreacting? Or was this a bridge too far? Sound off in the comments!

Via: Entertainment Weekly