Hello Kitty maker cuts ties with Japanese spy drama after China backlash
Sanrio has apologised after its merchandise line with Japanese TV series Vivant drew criticism.
Sanrio, the company behind Hello Kitty, has apologised and ended its merchandise partnership with a controversial Japanese TV show after drawing backlash in China.
Vivant, a popular spy thriller, has been widely slammed in Chinese state media and by Chinese social media users for its depiction of Chinese agents using brutal torture tactics on a Japanese operative.
The criticism has extended to the internationally beloved Hello Kitty and her friends, including My Melody and Cinnamoroll, who were featured in merchandise dressed as characters from the show.
Takaichi told parliament earlier this month that she had recorded episodes of Vivant and planned to watch them over the year-end holidays.