Japanese comedian calls PM's Yasukuni visits 'ideal'; Sungshin professor demands public apology

Seo Kyoung-duk, a professor at Sungshin Women's University, has publicly criticized Japanese comedian Ota Hikari over remarks about visits to Yasukuni Shrine and called for a public apology.

On Tuesday, Seo said on social media that an internet user living in Japan had tipped him off about the comments, adding that he had confirmed the remarks were already sparking controversy after being covered by Japanese media.

Japanese sports daily Nikkan Sports reported that on Aug. 16, Ota appeared on TBS program "Sunday Japan" and said it would be "ideal" for the prime minister to be able to visit Yasukuni Shrine in an official capacity.

Ota also said that being designated a Class-A war criminal did not necessarily mean those individuals occupied the position Japan refers to as "war criminal."

He went on to say that "the Tokyo trial was a victor's trial, so I think there are aspects where the winning and losing nations were treated unequally." He added: "Were only those designated as Class-A war criminals the perpetrators of the war? I think dropping the atomic bomb was also a war crime."

In response, Seo said the remarks were "a typical underhanded attempt to deflect responsibility for Japan's war of aggression and colonial rule by emphasizing the responsibility of the victorious nations."

Seo added that while the views did not represent all Japanese people, such remarks by a famous comedian on a popular TV program could mislead public opinion. He called for a public apology and a commitment to ensuring the remarks are never repeated.