LONDON (Kyodo) The BBC and a TV production agency offered a joint apology Friday about a comedy quiz show in which a deceased Japanese man who survived the atomic bombings of both Hiroshima and Nagasaki was described as "The Unluckiest Man in the World."
"We are sorry for any offense caused," the statement by the BBC and Talkback Thames said.
The apology came after media reports about the program generated strong reactions in Japan.
Earlier, the program's producer sent a message to the Japanese Embassy in London and some viewers who protested the show, called "QI," saying they "greatly regret it when we cause offense."
The BBC and Talkback Thames said in their latest statement, " 'QI' never sets out to cause offense with any of the people or subjects it covers, however on this occasion, given the sensitivity of the subject matter for Japanese viewers, we understand why they did not feel it appropriate for inclusion" in the show.
The BBC uploaded the part of the program in question on YouTube. Comments, both from supporters and critics, surged Friday night to more than 1,000 from a few dozen up to Thursday.