Sony Music has apologised after a Japanese girl band performed in a public concert wearing outfits that bore resemblance to uniforms worn by the Nazis during World War 2.

The group, called Keyakizaka46, wore military-style black coats similar to those worn by the paramilitary wing of Hitler’s Nazi party in a Halloween performance.

The costumes consisted of long, black coats and caps featuring a bird insignia that ressembles the Pateiadler eagle emblem of the Nazis.

They provoked a wave of criticism on social media and were described as “deeply offensive” by the Simon Wiesenthal Centre, a Jewish human rights organisation.

Sony Music Japan, the band's record label, has since issued a statement saying: “We express our heartfelt apology for causing offence […] because of our lack of understanding.

“We take the incident seriously and will make efforts to prevent a reoccurrence of a similar incident in the future.”

The spokesperson added that there had been no intention to link the performance to Nazism, according to Sky News.

It is not the first time a Japanese music group has attracted criticism for wearing clothing similar to that of the Nazis.