Ever since a section of a public art exhibition in Nagoya was closed after coming under a barrage of complaints and threats, Japan has been in a state of introspection over its freedom of expression.
Amid the intense debate, two fundamental questions remain: In the age of social media, did people jump to conclusions about the two artworks at issue, and, is there a point where art becomes too political for the public to stomach?
The works in question were video footage featuring an image of Emperor Hirohito (known posthumously as Emperor Showa) being incinerated with a blowtorch, and a sculpture representing "comfort women," who worked in wartime brothels, including those against their will, to provide sex to Japanese soldiers.
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