The Pokémon Company's decision to cancel an event at a controversial Japanese shrine to war dead has sparked a heated debate. The event, planned for a shrine that honors Japan's 2.5 million war dead, including convicted war criminals, was met with strong backlash from China, a country that views such visits as a lack of remorse for Japan's wartime past. The Chinese state media criticized the event, highlighting angry comments on social media, which are heavily censored by the government. The People's Daily, the Communist Party's official mouthpiece, stated that brands disregarding history and hurting Chinese feelings will face market abandonment. The Pokémon Company, an affiliate of Nintendo, initially planned the event as a private, certified Pokémon card player event for children, but its notice was mistakenly shared on the company's official website. The company has since apologized, canceled the event, and removed its information, citing a lack of understanding and a commitment to being considerate to all. This incident comes at a time of escalating tensions between Japan and China, with Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's remarks suggesting potential Japanese involvement in military action against Taiwan, a self-governing island claimed by Beijing. Takaichi, a former regular visitor to the Yasukuni Shrine, has not prayed there since taking office.
