Posted on 01/21/2014 2:41:36 PM PST by nickcarraway
Ad causes stir among English-language social media users
Japanese carrier All Nippon Airways (ANA) said Monday it was modifying a TV commercial after apologising to customers who complained it used racist stereotyping, but insisted they had meant no offence.
ANA started airing the new 30-second television advertisement on Saturday, aimed at promoting its beefed up schedule of international flights from Tokyo's Haneda airport in March.
In the commercial, two Japanese men in ANA uniform discuss in English how they might boost the image of the airline as an international carrier.
One of them says: "Let's change the image of Japanese people." "Sure," replies the other, who is now wearing a blonde wig and an improbably long rubber nose.
White westerners are often believed in Japan to have big noses, blue eyes and blonde hair, characteristics generally thought desirable among Japanese.
The ad caused a stir among English-language users of social media in Japan.
"I've just seen the new ANA advert... Really? ANA think this is OK?!" Angela Fukutome said in a message posted on ANA's Facebook page.
"If you are a foreigner and have planned to come to #Japan do not choose an openly racist airline like #ANA! Watch their Japanese commercial," tweeted @sibylleito on Twitter.
ANA spokesman Ryosei Nomura said the carrier wanted to express the importance of the planned expansion of international services from Haneda and to call on Japanese to go out to see the world.
"But we have received opinions different from the message that we wished to convey. We will modify part of the advertisement and will release the second version soon," he said.
The original TV spot was initially aired for Saturday through Monday and has now been pulled for now, he said.
Earlier, an ANA spokeswoman acknowledged the carrier "has received calls from customers, mostly foreigners, complaining about the ad."
"We apologised to each of the customers for having caused uncomfortable feelings and also thanked them for bringing up the issue," she told AFP.
Japan is largely racially homogenous, with relatively small immigrant communities.
Why do people get offended over something like this?
...two Japanese men in ANA uniform discuss in English how they might boost the image of the airline as an international carrier. One of them says: "Let's change the image of Japanese people." "Sure," replies the other, who is now wearing a blonde wig and an improbably long rubber nose. White westerners are often believed in Japan to have big noses, blue eyes and blonde hair, characteristics generally thought desirable among Japanese.People who objected to that need to calm the eff down, perhaps double up on their psych meds. Thanks nickcarraway.
!
Robert Redford?
Humble suggestion: Maybe the perpetually and professionally offended could take a short break from hyper ventilation, and learn to laugh? Work on developing a sense of humor...
Hard to believe anyone could be offended by this commercial, but I realize someone’s offended by everything...
Early on when Isuzu Motors first entered the US market (they were connected with GM) they ran a commercial of an American salesman struggling to pronounce “Isuzu”, mangling it badly, and feeling humiliated...Facepalm and head shake...
His Japanese Isuzu sales buddy/language coach put an arm around the American’s shoulder and attempted to comfort him by saying “That’s OK...I can’t say Chev-o-rey”...
Very funny and cute commercial...Probably offended someone and they stopped running it...
I thought our differences (diversity) was a thing to be celebrated? Offense is in the intent...Lighten up people!
Apologies, nick, but rereading my post it seems it could sound like it’s directed at you...
It was not meant to be, but at the PC types who get bent by this stuff...
Sorry I didn’t make myself clear on that point...
Cheers!
White people aren’t thin skinned for the most part... and that’s a good thing...
Racism inception!
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