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Hello Kitty maker Sanrio cuts ties with TV spy show after China backlash
Reuters • • world
Key Points:
- Sanrio's Chinese subsidiary apologized and terminated a collaboration involving soft toys dressed as spies after backlash from Chinese social media and state media condemnation.
- The controversy followed French soccer star Kylian Mbappe's apology for remarks about Mao Zedong, which led to Chinese sponsors cutting ties with him.
- TBS, the producer of the drama featuring the toys, stated the show is fictional and not intended to disparage any country, but has not commented on the cancellation.
- China-Japan relations have deteriorated due to geopolitical tensions over Taiwan, leading to Chinese travel advisories against Japan and restrictions on rare earth exports.
- Despite tensions, Japanese companies like Sanrio remain economically reliant on China, with Sanrio's sales in China rising nearly 25% in the first quarter compared to the previous year.
