A growing number of Chinese Net users are calling for a boycott of the controversial Japanese APA hotel chain, following its CEO's refusal Saturday to remove books which openly deny the Nanjing Massacre in China and forced prostitution in China and Korea during World War II.
Up to 98 percent of Net users support a boycott of the hotel chain in Japan, in which rooms put copies of the book, The Real History of Japan - Theoretical Modern History, by Seiji Fuji, the pen name of the chain's CEO, according to a poll conducted by huanqiu.com. More than 12,580 people have participated in the poll as of press time.
APA Group CEO Toshio Motoya said on Saturday that the controversy over the book was premeditated, and that Japanese — including lawmakers — support the book.
Motoya added he has received more than 10,000 letters of support, and some senators also called to show their support.
He hinted that it's honorable to fight for Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe against China.
Motoya added that "people will forget what has happened after a few months except for the hotel's name. An initial loss in revenue would be made up by brand awareness over this issue."
That has enraged Chinese Net users. "People have short memories. I hope this is not forgotten," posted a netizen named "Daduizhang" on Sina Weibo.
"Don't you [Japanese people] ever expect Chinese hatred over the crime committed by Japan to end, and don't deceive yourselves that Chinese will still patronize Japanese products," another Net user, "Tianyawoduxing," wrote on Weibo.
"I hope those who visit Japan would be careful. This reflects the rise of Japanese militarism. You provide them revenue today, but tomorrow they will shoot Chinese people, "Fangsiwei" posted.
"Has anyone printed Motoya's face on toilet paper? If so, I will definitely buy it," wrote "Liushanmenzhishou."
The company refuses to withdraw the books despite mounting pressure, claiming that the articles or opinions in the books come from adequate academic sources.
Historians have denounced the books as nonsense.
Chinese travel giant Ctrip removed reservations services for the APA Hotel. Platforms such as qunar.com and tuniu.com also removed the hotel from their rosters.
