Japanese airline ANA apologises for ‘racist’ advert stereotyping foreigners

[dipsydoodle]

Japanese airline ANA apologises for ‘racist’ advert stereotyping foreigners as having big noses and blonde hair.

A Japanese airline has apologised after it received complaints for a “racist and offensive” advert which appears to suggest it is changing its image through racial stereotyping.

The 30-second commercial for All Nippon Airways (ANA) was designed to promote its expanded offering of international flights from Tokyo’s Haneda airport, and first aired on Saturday.

It shows two men in ANA uniforms discussing how “exciting” it is that the airline now offers services to Vancouver and Hanoi.

When one of the men refuses a hug to celebrate, the other describes it as “such a Japanese reaction” and says: “Let’s change the image of Japanese people.”

The other man says “sure” while putting on an accent – and is suddenly seen wearing a blonde wig and exaggerated fake nose.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/japanese-airline-ana-apologises-for-racist-advert-stereotyping-foreigners-as-having-big-noses-and-blonde-hair-9072651.html

[CFLDem]

1. Looked like something out of Doonesbury.

Other than that I guess I'd probably need to experience Asian-centric racism to be fully offended by that...

[Art_from_Ark]

2. I'm a "gaijin" living in Japan

and that doesn't bother me at all. Much ado about nothing.

[Nye Bevan]

3. Yeah, people are too quick to get offended about this sort of thing (nt)

[Bonobo]

4. Agreed. Nt

[geek tragedy]

5. Meh, their racism is directed at Koreans a lot

more than at blondes.

[Ms. Toad]

6. Just looks dumb to me. n/t