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Aespa's NingNing Faces Backlash Amid China-Japan Tensions

11/20/2025

Summary

Story summary

Aespa faces backlash amid China-Japan tensions as a petition to remove NingNing from NHK Kohaku Uta Gassen passes 80,000 signatures.
The controversy stems from a 2022 NingNing post showing a lamp resembling a mushroom cloud, which critics say trivializes Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
The crisis worsened after Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi commented on Taiwan, leading to cancellations of Japanese events in China, and Aespa's December 31 performance may reflect relations.

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Story summary

Aespa faces backlash amid China-Japan tensions as a petition to remove NingNing from NHK Kohaku Uta Gassen passes 80,000 signatures.
The controversy stems from a 2022 NingNing post showing a lamp resembling a mushroom cloud, which critics say trivializes Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
The crisis worsened after Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi commented on Taiwan, leading to cancellations of Japanese events in China, and Aespa's December 31 performance may reflect relations.