The Embassy of Israel in Japan on Thursday referred to a Japanese all-girl "idol" group that drew criticism at home and abroad for wearing outfits resembling Nazi uniforms in its social media accounts, saying it will invite the band to a "special seminar" about the Holocaust.
"As entertainers wield a great influence, it is important for you all to have knowledge about this important issue," the embassy said in posts on Twitter and Facebook addressed to Keyakizaka46, referring to the genocide of Jews carried out by Adolf Hitler's Nazi Germany during World War II.
The posts did not contain details. Embassy officials were not immediately available for comment.
The Japanese idol group wore the military-style black capes and caps during their performance at Yokohama Arena on Oct. 22.
In response to protests from the Simon Wiesenthal Center, the U.S.-based Jewish anti-discrimination body, Sony Music Entertainment (Japan) Inc. and Yasushi Akimoto, the producer of the group, made an apology Tuesday.
Sony Music is the parent of the music label of the idol group, launched in 2015 as an offshoot of the more popular AKB48.