Sanrio severs ties with Japanese drama Vivant after Chinese outcry over 'smear'

Sanrio, the Japanese company behind Hello Kitty, has apologized and ended its commercial association with the TV drama Vivant after Chinese state media and netizens condemned the show's portrayal of Chinese agents as a 'deliberate smear.' This marks a notable corporate capitulation to Chinese pressure, reflecting the growing influence of Chinese public opinion on foreign brands and the tightening cultural and political scrutiny in Sino-Japanese relations.

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