Chinese Supporters Criticise Brighton Following Post Featuring Imperial Japanese Soldier

Football enthusiasts from China have strongly criticised Brighton and Hove Albion, along with their Japanese player Kaoru Mitoma, following a social media image depicting him grinning while clutching a picture of the final Imperial Japanese soldier to surrender after World War II.

During the fierce conflict against Imperial Japanese troops, millions of Chinese lost their lives, and the legacy of atrocities including mass killings, sexual assaults, and plunder continues to burden ties between Beijing and Tokyo.

The academy of Brighton and Hove Albion issued an apology on Saturday after the image, which captured Mitoma alongside a young team member and a fabricated football card of Imperial Army officer Hiroo Onoda, sparked widespread anger.

By midday on Monday, the hashtag "Premier League Club Issues Apology to Chinese Fans" topped trends on Weibo, Chinas prominent social media site, amassing over 15 million views.

"Premier League clubs actually backing fascists exist," stated the most popular comment beneath a piece from the state affiliated outlet The Global Times.

Some demanded that Brighton end the contract of the Japanese national team player Mitoma.

"Chinese football supporters should hold him accountable. We need to show our determination, teach him a lesson, otherwise more like Kaoru Mitoma will emerge," remarked another user.

The origins of the football card image portraying Onoda, the officer who rejected the wars end and conducted guerrilla operations in the Philippines jungle for nearly 30 years, remain unclear.

Brighton explained that the photo of Mitoma with the item was snapped at a pre event for the Premier League Christmas Truce Tournament, involving under 12 players from eight English teams facing off against European counterparts.

This event honours the spontaneous ceasefire on 25 December during World War I, where British and German troops gathered in no mans land, and some even participated in a football match.

The Premier League portrays the tournament as an opportunity for young athletes to develop "insight into the historical occurrences that moulded our globe".

Brighton expressed regret for "any upset in China".

"We greatly appreciate our supporters in China and never meant to offend," the clubs youth setup declared in a Saturday post on X.

The main club account shared the message.

Mitoma, who has earned 29 appearances for Japans senior mens squad, has yet to issue a public response.

Tensions between Beijing and Tokyo have intensified lately, especially after Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi indicated potential military action by Tokyo in response to any assault on Taiwan, territory claimed by China.

AFP reached out to Brighton for further details.