Hello Kitty Maker Drops Japanese Drama Over China Backlash

Sanrio dropped its Vivant merchandise line following an online backlash in China over wartime history.

Sanrio has terminated its merchandise collaboration with the Japanese television series Vivant after facing a fierce backlash online in China regarding the show's depiction of wartime history. The company issued an apology to address the concerns raised by fans and critics. The controversy highlights the sensitivity of historical themes for Japanese brands operating within the Chinese market.

• The backlashCritics in China took issue with how the television program depicted historical events involving Japan and the region during wartime.
• The reactionSanrio swiftly removed related products from sale and published a formal apology to appease the affected audience.