Nogi Shrine

乃木神社, Nogi Shrine, located in Tokyo, Japan. It is a popular site for weddings.

The shrine is largely unknown to Chinese citizens. The first Baidupedia entry for the shrine was created late at night on August 12, 2021, by du鸿儒. It was continuously edited throughout the day by other members of the Baidu Kedou super mod team.

The popular girls group Nogizaka46 is named after the shrine. The group is very popular in China and performed in Shanghai in both 2018 and 2019. They were invited to perform at the 40th anniversary of the China-Japan Peace and Friendship Treaty in 2018.

In 2020, Nogizaka46 held their coming-of-age ceremony at Nogi Shrine, an event that was reported on by 人民网 People's Daily Online.

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Role in 813 Smear Campaign

In 2018, Zhang Zhehan was brought as a +1 guest to the wedding of a Chinese expat at Nogi Shrine. Photos and video from this event were dug up in August 2021 and used as part of the 813 smear campaign that led to Zhang's cancellation.

A number of false accusations against Zhang Zhehan based on this event were publicized on August 12, 2021 and spread throughout Chinese social media over the next three days.

Omissions in Clarifications

In 2022, it became apparent that the initial clarifications published by Sophie and the clarification gang omitted a number of important details related to the Nogi Shrine incident.

Zhang Zhehan was not personal friends with the groom, and was brought to the wedding as a +1 guest by a mutual friend. This was the reason he was not in formal wear, as he had not prepared to attend a wedding on his trip to Japan.

Zhang Zhehan never set foot in Nogi Shrine. In Shinto ceremonies, friends are not permitted inside the shrine. He waited outside with other guests. Dewi Sukarno was never at the ceremony herself and only attended the reception.

The video from the wedding was first uploaded by the 张作乐 Douyin account. It was quickly picked up by 保安哲么佩, an account operated by HBW.

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