Japanese table tennis player Hina Hayata at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Photo: Xinhua

Two Chinese athletes unfollowed a Japanese table tennis player on social media after she announced plans to visit a notorious war-linked museum, winning support from netizens. 

A social media account affiliated with the China News Service reported on Wednesday that Hina Hayata, a Japanese table tennis player, said in an interview that she would like to visit the "Chiran Peace Museum for Kamikaze Pilots." Kamikaze pilots represent the ugliness and brutality of Japan's right-wing activists and are a symbol of Japanese military aggression during World War II.

After hearing the news, Chinese table tennis players Sun Yingsha and Fan Zhendong promptly unfollowed Hayata on Sina Weibo on Wednesday.

On Monday, Hayata had shared photos on Sina Weibo of herself and Chinese table tennis players and said that Fan exchanged pins with her. 

"He has always been my favorite athlete and I'm excited to see him win at the Olympics," she said.

The incident sparked discontent and heated discussion among netizens on various social media platforms.

Netizens hailed the quick response of the Chinese athletes, saying that this would be normal behavior for every Chinese person.

Other netizens commented that Chinese athletes follow Japanese athletes as they are respected competitors, but then unfollow them if they cross a bottom line for the Chinese people.

Some netizens were disappointed, saying that they had been impressed with Hayata when they watched the Games, as she did not give up despite having injuries. They expressed surprise about her behavior.

Global Times