China boycotts actor after photos of visit to Japan's Yasukuni Shrine

China's Association of Performing Arts on Sunday called for a boycott of a Chineseactorafterphotosof him atJapan'scontroversialYasukuniShrinetaken in 2018 and 2019 circulated online and sparked outrage among Chinese netizens and media.

TheYasukuniShrineis seen byJapan'sneighbouring countries as a symbol of that country's past militarism, and remains a flashpoint for tension withChina.

TheshrinehonoursJapan'swar dead, including 14 World War Two leaders convicted by an Allied tribunal as war criminals.China, which was occupied by the Japanese from 1937 to 1945, takes offence atvisits to theshrine.

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"The misbehaviour ofactorZhang Zhehan severely harms national feeling and brings baneful influence to his young age-group audience. Hence, we demand members not to engage him in any employment," said the association in a statement on Sunday.

Zhang, 30, apologised on Chinese social media on Friday saying he is "ashamed of his ignorance". Still, state-backed People's Daily commented that Zhang should "pay a heavy price" for the "challenge of national dignity".

More than 25 companies inChina, including U.S. beverage maker Coca-Cola Co and Danish jeweller Pandora A/S, have announced the termination of partnerships with Zhang.

Separately,Chinaprotested on Friday avisitto theshrineby Japanese Defence Minister Nobuo Kishi.

Chinese Defence Ministry spokesman Wu Qian told reportersChinawas "greatly dissatisfied and firmly opposed" to thevisit.

Thevisitshowed "the wrong attitude with how Japan treated its history of invasion and its malicious intention in challenging the post-war international order," Wu said.

Chinahas lodged stern representation to Japan on this matter, Wu said.