Justin Bieber Apologises For Visiting Japanese War Shrine
The Canadian singer caused a social media storm
Justin Bieber is in the headlines for all the wrong reasons once again.
The Canadian pop star caused a social media storm yesterday after he posted a photo of himself on Instagram at the Yasakuni shrine, which honours fallen Japanese war heroes and, controversially, convicted war criminals.
Accompanying the photo, Justin wrote: "Thank you for your blessings.”
The highly divisive shrine is condemned in South Korea and China for apparently not being a symbol of Japan being unapologetic for their Empire’s military past.
The BBC reports that a museum within the shrine suggests that Japan was a victim of the Second World War.
After many of his Twitter and Instagram followers voiced their disapproval of the pic, Justin issued an apology.
He wrote: "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."
Justin also caused a backlash last April when he visited the Anne Frank museum in Amsterdam and wrote that he hoped the Holocaust victim “would have been a Belieber” in the guest book.
The 20-year-old singer goes on trial this July after being charged with driving under the influence in Miami back in January.