A scheduled Pokémon card game event at Tokyo's contentious Yasukuni Shrine has been abruptly cancelled following significant diplomatic protests from China. The Pokémon Company, an affiliate of the Japanese gaming giant Nintendo, has issued formal apologies in both Japanese and Chinese languages after the planned gathering sparked international controversy.
Event Cancellation Amid Escalating Tensions
The event, which was planned for Saturday at the shrine that honours Japan's 2.5 million war dead including convicted war criminals, was cancelled after attracting sharp criticism from Chinese state media and social media platforms. The Pokémon Company confirmed the cancellation and removal of all event information from its official website, stating the gathering "should not have been held to begin with."
Chinese Media Response and Historical Sensitivities
Chinese state media, particularly the Communist Party's official mouthpiece People's Daily, published strong editorials on Weibo condemning the planned event. The newspaper warned that "brands that disregard history and hurt the feelings of the Chinese people will ultimately be abandoned by the market," emphasising that enterprises must "take social responsibility and not make light of the heavy weight of history in the name of entertainment."
Countries that suffered under Japanese wartime aggression, especially China and both Koreas, view visits to Yasukuni Shrine as demonstrating insufficient remorse about Japan's imperial past. The shrine remains a persistent source of diplomatic friction in East Asian relations.
Pokémon Company's Explanation and Apology
The Pokémon Company explained that the event had been privately organised by a certified Pokémon card player targeting children, but the information was mistakenly shared on the company's official website due to "lack of our understanding." In their bilingual apology, the company stated they had removed all event details and pledged to be "considerate to everyone" in line with their motto of "connecting the world with Pokémon."
Broader Diplomatic Context
This incident occurs against a backdrop of escalating tensions between Japan and China. Relations have deteriorated further since Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi suggested in November that Japan could become involved if China takes military action against Taiwan, which Beijing claims as its own territory. China has responded with economic and diplomatic measures against Japan.
Notably, Prime Minister Takaichi was previously a regular visitor to Yasukuni Shrine but has refrained from praying there since taking office in October. The cancellation of the Pokémon event represents another chapter in the ongoing diplomatic sensitivities surrounding the shrine and Japan's wartime history.
The controversy highlights how commercial activities can become entangled with historical memory and international diplomacy, particularly in East Asia where wartime legacies continue to shape contemporary relations between nations.
