ANA apologizes over racial stereotyping in CM

[isinuyasha]

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TOKYO -
All Nippon Airways (ANA) said Monday it was modifying a TV commercial after apologizing to customers who complained it used racist stereotyping, but insisted they had meant no offense

Comments

[thomasvye]

I shall be flying with them from Heathrow to Haneda soon. :)

[happyaku_en]

Yeah...a blonde wig and giant fake nose might not be the way to go if you want to change the image of Japanese people.

[sibylblack]

Personally I didn't really care but I can see why people would get offended.

[mfls2010916]

Oh PLEASE. People need to learn the definition of racism.

If anyone should be offended it should be the Japanese public being told they need to be more like white people to bring their business to the next level.
'Let's change the image of Japan' = become white? This commercial is just perpetuating an all too prevalent inferiority complex that has no place in 2014.

[ostsiberia]

I think you hit the nail on the head coika. I don't know if you're familiar with Nihonjinron (I have a few academic articles stashed away if anyone is interested...) but it's essentially Japanese exceptionalism. From small things like 'taking off shoes at the door--how japanese of us!' to viewing Japanese language as nationality and ethnicity (which is why some 'visible' foreigners get weird looks if they speak fluent Japanese) and viewing everything Japanese as unique, special. I think Westerners also aid this by 'mystifying' Japan and not questioning anything the 'Japan is different' myth.

[calzonazos]

Agreed with the commenter above, people need to learn what racism really means. Where are all the angry complains whenever comedians do blackface huh?
This is plain nonsense.