Mitoma photo with WWII officer's image sparks backlash, prompts Brighton apology

Fans continue to flood Premier League club Brighton & Hove Albion's X account with criticism after a post showed Japan international Kaoru Mitoma and a young player holding cards with the image of infamous WWII Japanese officer Hiroo Onoda. Some commenters even labeled Mitoma a "militarist" and "Nazi clown."

Onoda was the last Japanese soldier to surrender after World War II, officially giving up his arms in 1974 – nearly three decades after Japan's defeat. Deployed to Lubang Island in the Philippines in 1944, he retreated into the jungle following Japan's surrender and kept up guerrilla activities, disregarding repeated Allied commands to surrender. 

A netizen named Cheny commented, "Fascist club, you must sincerely apologize and explain to the Asian people."

Meanwhile, William, another netizen, said, "Militarist Kaoru Mitoma must be expelled."

The uproar led the club to delete the post and issue an apology to Chinese fans on Saturday. In a statement on X, Brighton's academy apologized "for any offence caused in China," adding, "We hugely value our fans in China and had absolutely no intention to cause any offence."

Brighton said the image was posted due to a "mistake," emphasizing that neither the club nor the Premier League was aware of the photo choice.

More countries speak up

The backlash has spread beyond China. South Korea's Chosun Ilbo daily criticized Brighton for posting the picture, and said the club should also apologize to South Korean fans, as Japan's wartime atrocities also involved decades of colonial rule over the Korean Peninsula. 

Filipino social media users also questioned why there was no apology to the Philippines, with one commenter asking, "Shouldn't Brighton apologize to us first?"

The photo was posted on the club's academy account on X on November 27, celebrating the under 12 (U12) team's victory in the Premier League's education program and their upcoming trip to Belgium for the Christmas Truce Tournament. In the picture, Mitoma and a young player each hold a card featuring Onoda's portrait in military uniform.

According to BBC reports, Onoda killed 30 civilians during his decades in hiding. He was later pardoned by the Philippine government and returned to Japan, where he was controversially celebrated as a symbol of a so-called heroic spirit.

The Christmas Truce Tournament is named after the 1914 ceasefire during World War I, when British and German soldiers paused fighting and played football together. The Premier League describes the event as an opportunity for U12 players to compete with top European academies while learning about significant historical events.