https://www.live-feeds.com/feed/hello-kitty-company-cuts-ties-with-japanese-spy-show-after-china-outcryContinuously updated, source-cited coverage. https://www.live-feeds.com/feed/hello-kitty-company-cuts-ties-with-japanese-spy-show-after-china-outcryhttps://www.live-feeds.com/feed/hello-kitty-company-cuts-ties-with-japanese-spy-show-after-china-outcry#u169220Mon, 02 Nov 2026 07:03:30 +0000Sanrio, 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 mattersThis 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 bec