Statement by Press Secretary / Director-General for Press and Public Relations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on inappropriate scenes in a Japanese animation

May 23, 2008

  On May 22, Shueisha Inc. and A.P.P.P. Co. Ltd., which have published the animation “JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure”, stated in their announcement that they never intended to insult Islam, and expressed their sincerest apology to the Muslim people for the offence caused by inappropriate scenes in the animation.  The Government of Japan finds it regrettable that the inappropriate scenes of the animation offended the feelings of Muslim people, even though it was done inadvertently.  The Government of Japan highlights the importance of promoting the understanding of and respect for different religions and cultures so that such an incident will not be repeated in the future.

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