A fast-growing petition in Japan demanding the removal of K-pop group Aespa from NHK's year-end program "Kohaku Uta Gassen" has become a flashpoint in escalating public tension between Japan and China. The campaign targets group member Ningning, who is Chinese, and has revived earlier controversy tied to imagery that critics say resembled an atomic bomb. The dispute comes as the Japanese government's recent remarks on Taiwan have intensified diplomatic strain with Beijing, contributing to a climate where cultural events are increasingly shaped by geopolitical pressure.
The petition, posted on Change.org on November 18, calls for NHK to bar Aespa from performing on the broadcast, long considered one of Japan's most-watched New Year's Eve traditions. Organizers argue that the program represents a unifying national event and should exclude performers linked to imagery many Japanese viewers found offensive. The petition references a 2022 incident in which Ningning shared a photo containing a lamp that some believed resembled a mushroom cloud.
Support for the petition climbed rapidly, reaching 50,000 signatures within 24 hours. By November 20, that number had surpassed 70,000. Users posting comments argued that permitting Ningning to appear would be harmful to viewers with direct or generational connections to the Hiroshima bombing. They also described the decision as an issue of cultural sensitivity, saying Japan should protect the symbolism attached to its most prominent year-end broadcast.
The controversy comes just weeks after Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi stated on November 7 that a contingency involving Taiwan could place Japan in "an existential crisis." She added that if China used military force or deployed warships, Japan could deem it grounds for exercising self-defense under current laws. Beijing criticized the remarks and accused Tokyo of interfering in its internal affairs, escalating a public conversation that now extends into entertainment and fandom.
Analysts note that tension has already impacted cultural programming. In China, a fan event for the Japanese boy group JO1 was recently canceled without explanation, drawing speculation about political considerations. Industry observers say the cancellation reflects how quickly entertainment plans can become entangled with broader diplomatic friction.
The petition against Aespa has gained momentum partly because supporters link Ningning's nationality to the current geopolitical climate. Comments on the petition frequently connect the issue to historical memory and national trauma, emphasizing that the show is intended as a celebratory broadcast rather than a source of controversy. While Aespa and NHK have not commented publicly, the campaign has shaped the national debate around this year's event.
