Tokyo: Japan’s public broadcaster NHK apologized on Wednesday over a cartoon with Adolf Hitler’s face that was printed on a T-shirt worn by a talk show guest.
The black T-shirt worn by entrepreneur Takafumi Horie also carried a “No war” message on one side and a peace symbol on the cartoon Hitler’s chest. Horie was a guest on NHK’s “Afternoon Live” daily talk show Wednesday. The T-shirt prompted complaints from viewers.
During the program, the NHK announcer, who is also the show’s co-host, apologized. Responding to a tweet asking about the Hitler cartoon, Horie said it was meant to be an anti-war message.
It’s not the first time Hitler and Nazi themes have raised controversy in Japan. Much of Asia is less sensitive about Hitler and the use of Nazi themes than the West.
Last month, Japan’s central bank issued a rare apology following criticism over a board member’s remark that was interpreted as a praise for Hitler’s economic policy.
Finance minister Taro Aso in 2013 was forced to retract comments suggesting Japan should follow the Nazi example in how to change the country’s constitution.
