Live Feeds
● LIVE Updated 2h ago · 12 sources tracked

Hello Kitty company cuts ties with Japanese spy show after China outcry

Sanrio, the maker of Hello Kitty, has ended its collaboration with a Japanese TV spy show called Vivant after facing backlash in China. The Chinese government and state media accused the show of portraying ruthless Chinese agents in a negative light, calling it a 'deliberate smear'. Sanrio apologized and cut ties with the show to mitigate the damage.

🎙️

Listen to Live Briefing

Real-time synthesized voice briefing · Live Feeds Desk

⏱ ~2 min
Speed:
RSS Source map (12)
⚡ Key Developments & Real-Time Context
Text size:
  • ✓ Sanrio has ended its collaboration with the Japanese TV series Vivant.
  • ✓ China accused the show of portraying ruthless Chinese agents in a negative light.
  • ✓ Sanrio apologized for the controversy.
🛡️ Source Corroboration: 12 independent reporting domains (100% confidence) ⏱ Read time: ~2 min

What changed

Sanrio officially cut ties with the Japanese spy show Vivant following criticism from China.

Live updates

  1. Hello Kitty company cuts ties with Japanese spy show after China outcry

    Sanrio, the maker of Hello Kitty, has ended its collaboration with a Japanese TV spy show called Vivant after facing backlash in China. The Chinese government and state media accused the show of portraying ruthless Chinese agents in a negative light, calling it a 'deliberate smear'. Sanrio apologized and cut ties with the show to mitigate the damage.

    Why it matters

    This incident highlights the challenges foreign companies face in China, where nationalism and sensitivity to perceived slights can quickly escalate into public controversies. The Hello Kitty brand, popular globally, has become entangled in a dispute reflecting deeper tensions between Japan and China. Sanrio's decision aims to protect its brand and maintain access to the lucrative Chinese market.

    What is confirmed

    • Sanrio has ended its collaboration with the Japanese TV series Vivant.
    • China accused the show of portraying ruthless Chinese agents in a negative light.
    • Sanrio apologized for the controversy.

    What to watch next

    • Further reaction from Chinese consumers and state media
    • Impact on Sanrio's business operations in China
    • Response from the Japanese producers of Vivant
    Sources used for this update (12)
    1. www.theguardian.com — AI godfather Geoffrey Hinton: ‘We’re creating alien beings. I’m willing to be selfish and choose humans’ | Donald Trump
    2. www.onenewspage.com — RAF Fairford national security charges
    3. Reuters — Hello Kitty maker Sanrio cuts ties with TV spy show after China backlash
    4. The Guardian — Hello Kitty company cuts ties with Japanese spy show after China outcry
    5. Financial Times — Hello Kitty gets caught up in Japan-China spat
    6. Esquire — Turns Out, Even Children’s Toys Can Set Off International Outrage
    7. The New York Times — How a Japanese Spy Drama Became the Target of China’s Anger
    8. www.bbc.com — Hello Kitty maker cuts ties with Japanese spy drama after ...
    9. www.theguardian.com — Hello Kitty company cuts ties with Japanese spy show after ...
    10. www.asahi.com — Hello Kitty maker cuts ties with show after China backlash
    11. www.france24.com — Hello Kitty firm apologises, cuts ties with Japanese spy show ...
    12. fastnews.team — [Breaking News] Samsung Electronics decides on ‘largest shareholder return ever’… Up to 110 trillion won released | FastNews....
    confidence 100%
📊

Community Sentiment: How do you assess this situation?

Voice your perspective · Real-time aggregated sentiment from the Live Feeds community