A spokesman for the China National Tourism Administration said the actions of hotel chain APA Group were « an open provocation to Chinese tourists. »
« We demand that all operators with international tours and online platforms completely stop all cooperation with this hotel, » Zhang said.
He also urged Chinese tourists already in Japan to boycott the chain as well.
Free speech
In a statement last week , APA defended its placement of the book — written by CEO Toshio Motoya — on the grounds of freedom of expression.
« Although we acknowledge that historic interpretation and education vary among nations, please clearly understand that the book is not aimed to criticize any specific state or nation, but for the purpose of letting readers learn the fact-based true interpretation of modern history, » the chain said.
An estimated 300,000 people died during the Nanjing Massacre — a weeks-long spree of mass killings, rape and looting after the Japanese military occupied Nanjing in late 1937 and 1938.
