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© 2014 AFPANA apologizes over racial stereotyping in new TV commercial
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© 2014 AFP
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shanabelle
So sick of these rubber noses in CMs....what year is it?
Richard7481
Truly shocking.
Jeff Ogrisseg
Again with the noses? Good grief! Perhaps it's time for a mock commercial turning this right back around. Can't you hear the howls already?
justbcuzisay
So, the commercial us about changing 'the Japanese image' to appeal to international customers? Well, seems the target audience is not amused.
rickyvee
agree wtih crapchat. it looks like a pretty stupid CM, but not really racist.
slumdog
from regular people into clowns."
Brandon Simpson
It's kind of stupid, but I don't really see how it's racist. It's a well-known fact that westerners do tend to have more pronounced facial features than the Japanese, and ANA was just using that to try to be entertaining.
Laguna
Ironically, a good first step towards changing the image of Japanese would be to stop using "let's" so often.
80393
not an excuse in 2014. let's bring back the buck teeth and conical hat while we're at it.
BertieWooster
There is absolutely nothing offensive about this.
It's just crap!
Sensato
I assume that this ad was made by one of Japan's huge advertising companies catering to an international customer base, which makes it all the more astonishing that they would that run an ad that so poorly reflects on ANA in the eyes of much of the international community. This is so obviously inappropriate and patronizing, particularly for a company like ANA that has customers and employees from all over the world.
That said, the large plastic honker in this ad reminds me of my early years in Japan when I was constantly being told "hana ga takai desu ne," which for a long time I translated directly to mean "your nose is tall (huge)." Given that I am a bit self-conscious of my rather big schnozzle, I long took that comment with a great deal of embarrassment. It took me quite some time to realize that this was often intended as a compliment, rather than an insult, often followed with squeals of "ii-naaa" (I'm envious). Anyway, what I am trying to get at is that a large nose in Japan is often seen as a prominent feature in a positive sense that helps balance out your face (for whatever that is worth).
Saxon Salute
I don't find this offensive, just pathetic. Did they ask a single non-Japanese person about changing their international appeal? I fly ANA to London, and it is easily the best economy flight going. It whips JAL, BA and VA. It has a 34-inch seat pitch in economy and the seat reclines in its own shell. It is luxury compared to the others. I wouldn't ever fly economy again with any of them. Why doesn't ANA show off its additional space and comfort to appeal to westerners instead of the traditional big nose and blond wig? Do not avoid ANA because of this silly ad. Avoid crappy airlines that want to crush your legs for 12 hours before you avoid ANA!
pointofview
I just dont get it. Ive seen lots of Japanese with big noses.
GW
Haha, I agree its not really racist, just daft LOL!!
I caught the end of this on the idiot box on the weekend & didn't know what it was for, but now that I watched it twice, its just a bad commercial & the thinking behind is decades old, doesn't reflect good on NH DOH!!!
funny car
They apologize but are not pulling the ad?
Seems like the same thing we get from the government. "We're sorry. Now p!$$ off!" Somehow, people think the apology is not heartfelt.
Anyway, I don't think its racist, although some people will take it that way and indicate who really is racist. Its just an extremely immature way of looking at things and not even funny. To make it funny, he should have put on a big smile, started waltzing around happily, and busted out with boisterous and loud pick up lines to girls walking by, preferably in Italian.
Jimizo
I expect better from ANA. This kind of thing belongs on idiotic variety shows made for and by morons. Not what a respected business should be doing.
yokatta
Yeahh, Honto ne baka!
maxjapank
Personally I find stereotyping western foreigners like this offensive, especially when used in such a public mediam. It says that it's okay to make fun of or portray western foreigners in this way. And I don't agree.
Peter Breedveld
I feel so stigmatized as a white man. After all that we, white men, have gone through through the ages this is just too much. SOB
StormR
If this company changed its name to All Nippon Airways Limited they could rebrand themselves as ANAL instead of just ANA.
Slamdunk
Actually Tall nose is a compliment. I know a lot of asians want to have tall nose...Some people even did plastic surgery to get a big tall nose. So you should be proud if you have a big and tall nose.
Well.. if you have wide nose, then that's something else...
goyabento
stereotyping western foreigners like this offensive ...Maybe it's the other way around, ANA is stereotyping all Japanese as having dark hair and small noses.
House Atreides
Just add a beard and some long hair and you've got Cyrano de Bergerac.
Alex Einz
yea.. all foreigners are blond and got huge rubber noses.... not sure why people still fly ANA anyway, they are overpriced and only stay afloat because that the only way to fly to US and still keep your dignity in some way.. oh yea and they serve Japanese food...instead of something resembling food in any US carrier... honestly, its time for more llcs!!!
davestrousers
Its hard to imagine anyone with a brain laughing at this... so yes, it does reinforce the stereotype of Japanese humour.
Slamdunk
Alex. Have you ever traveled with ANA? Not trying to be bias here but I think ANA's flights are still better than a lot of US carriers offer. If money was not a problem, ANA is definitely the way to go.
DJDon
Lame PR. The people in thwir Marketing/PR Dept. Should know better.
theResident
This is just (marginally) funny. What is all the fuss about?
Genki/Flash
I'm at a loss! A company like ANA, which is trying to show that they're a global airline, talk about sending the wrong message!! I don't know who their marketing director is, defiantly not a well cultured individual. Maybe ANA should have some workshops or seminars on cultural awareness. As I have never flown ANA, I find flying JAL for business and pleasure to meet and exceed all my expectations, and then some. Defiantly culturally aware. ANA, I'd recommend pulling the ad before it gets uploaded to YouTube. Oops too late!
papigiulio
Hmm I see they quickly removed the video from their facebook page.
Argus Tuft
I love how the ad's narrative is:
"see how urbane and international we're becoming in Japan ? ..LOL! -jk!"
maninjpn
Oh geez. Some people are just way too sensitive. Maybe the guy wanted the world to see how clownish Japanese are? Hahaha. Anyway, with that with and nose, he looked like a Doonesbury character.
Genki/Flash
Brandon Simpson. Are you serious? Trying to be entertaining? Not even close! Not a very creative commercial. Says a lot about their marketing department.
Probie
Typical childish Japanese mentality. The regular person on the street probably won't see anything wrong with it, because you see that crap on TV so much. The moment someone overseas says something they don't like though, they jump all over it, claiming racism or disrespect of the Japanese culture.
No pulling it immediately just shows how they don't care about offending anyone.
I hope Delta does one with a short guy in a suit, coke-bottle glasses and buck-teeth, reading a comic of robot kids having sex with their tentacles, and sushi falling out of his pockets, saying "me rikey za Derta air rine! It's a berry goo!", then see how they like it...
Mike45
I dont feel offended by it; I just dont get it, is there some hidden message in it? If Japanese people change, they will end up looking cacausin or want to look cacausin?
ReformedBasher
@Peter Breedveld
I thought the ad was mildly amusing but some of the comments here are much better, your's included.
tinky1
I have a big nose and it doesnt offend me one bit. Pathetic how this could be classed as racist.
SenseNotSoCommon
Taking J TV waaaaay too seriously, folks!
Disillusioned
Oh, c'mon! What's so shocking about that? Anybody that has lived in japan for any length of time knows that the Japanese consider themselves the master race of the universe. It should be no surprise that their national airline also views foreigners as inferior.
Wakarimasen
Agree it is more lame and silly than racist. seems some people take offence so quickly these days.
Thunderbird2
I don't see a problem with this at all - I think people are just being too sensitive. It's aimed at Japanese people, not westerners, so of course they'll take the Mick. Over here we have an ad running for Citroen vans which show a couple of Geisha having a tea ceremony in the cab... I haven't heard about any Japanese people phoning in to complain.
You want racial stereotyping? How about Hollywood having all Japanese as computer or science geeks.
So the ad has a a guy donning a beach boys wig and tengu nose. So what? Who is it harming? Unless you are a beach boy with a big hooter why get so heated about something so daft?
Loki520
Must be something wrong with me. I found it to be neither funny nor offensive. I certainly didn't find it "racist".
I'm pretty sure the problem is with those that DO find this to be racist and offensive.
nath
Probie (and others).
similar level "racial stereotyping" happens all the time in ads and even programmes in the US and Europe. Try the Japanese stereotypes in South Park, the Simpsons and Family Guy for a start. As fior ads, plenty involving driving and food and similar.
some of it not far off your great suggestion for a Delta (I think it works better for Continentaru) airlines.
LHommeQuiMent
Japan's comic tradition has always favored farce over satire, and stereotyping has always been a key element in Japanese farce. Japanese basically laugh at buffoonery, slapstick and puns, sophisticated humor and political satire are rare birds in Japanese cultural history.
This commercial may not be politically correct but it is very Japanese.
WilliB
It is a clash of cultures. This slapstick-type of depicting people with racial or other features is pretty standard in comedy shows in Japan, but would cause a big brouhaha in the West today. That ANA chose it for an commercial for an international audience only shows their naivite.
Rather than endlessly pontificating about Omotenashi, the Japanese media might want to get ready to address the problems they will have with this as the number of foreign visitors increases.
Probie
I'm not really offended by this stupid advert, I just don't like how the Japanese can give, but don't like to take.
Except those shows are satire. Everyone gets targeted. Besides, they are completely different to a commercial. If you don't want to watch those shows (and I don't, except for South Park, the other 2 suck donkey dong), you don't have to. Commercials sneak up on you.
Cos
I don't see the change. The guy just pass from a stereotypical J-sarariman look to stereotypical J-tarento look.
darknuts
political correctness run amok.
maxjapank
You're right on the mark Probie. I'm fine with humor when presented in the right context / forum. But this is visible to everyone and reinforces a stereotype.
m6bob
I can't wait to see China's reaction to this one. Will they invade the Senkaku Islands now or go to the UN to complain of Japan's racist attittude? Will there be a more 'racist' China Airlines advert to outdo Japan? Stay tune...
warispeace
A polite way to say a significant number of people in Japan, and especially the neo-nationalist LDP and its supporters, are xenophobic.
nath
My first thought upon seeing the ad was that it was racist, but upon further consideration I couldn't really put my finger on why. I don't think they are insulting non-Japanese with blond hair and big noses. If anything they are insulting Japanese people. But I'm not even so sure of that. So I'm not sure that this ad can be considered racist. It's recognizing that differences exist in features between Asians and white people, but I can't see how that makes it racist.
Can someone please spell out what is racist about this ad, who it is discriminating against, and how it is discriminating against them? Or conversely can someone spell out how it is not racist? I'm on the fence here, and a good argument could sway me in either direction.
NZ2011
I find it unusual.. Im an ANA member with a large amount of points.. I might make a comment after my next flight.
This ad is a bit in poor taste, perhaps I could make fun of the pilots or cabin attendants english.. or this that and the other thing.. but I would never dream of it.
Japan I love you, you are my home, but there is some waking up that needs to go on.
realist
If you click on the video on this website, it says "This video is private." Japanese, or JT censorship at its best. However, if you view directly on Youtube, you can see it in all its racist, xenophobic stereotypical stupidity. I have flown with ANA a lot in the past. Wouldn't dream of flying with them ever again. If this is a true reflection of ANA company policy, then I will not be giving my money to these bigots again. I am offended, not just by the stupid nose and wig, but also by the Japanese ethnocentrism displayed in this ad. People who still bleat on about "We Japanese" and "I am a Japanese, this is the way we are" belong to the distant past, not the 21st century. If Japan wants to be truly "international" then it must abandon this nonsensical and archaic way of thinking and join the real world. Big thumbs down for ANA. They need to pull this advert now.
Thunderbird2
I honestly can't believe people are upset by this. I mean showing British people with bad teeth and saying "guvna" is negative stereotyping... this ad isn't. It's an example of Japanese humour. Get over yourselves.
iLikeTurtles
Regardless of whether anyone finds it personally offensive (I don’t, even though my nose is bigger than average!), this kind of thing shouldn’t be in a TV ad – it serves to reinforce racial stereotypes and make people think it’s ok to lump everyone together based on the way they look. Aside from making the company look stupid, of course.
Jimizo
'It's an example of Japanese humour' Now that's offensive. It's an example of idiotic Japanese humour. My Japanese coworker found this embarrassing and stupid. If anything, it stereotypes Jaoanese people as not getting beyond custard pies.
WA4TKG
Yes ; they STILL have a LONG way to go to " Change the Image of Japanese People". ....it AIN'T gunna' happen with this ad.
nath
Wow. Read that JUST LIKE the guys from that South Park episode. Let's make this commercial!
nath
Probie
Commercials sneak up on you
A bit like the Japanese at Pearl Harbour?
now there's a bit of neggative stereotyping!??
Eric Gray
I think thats pretty funny and in no way offensive. Unfortunately, some people go around looking for ways to be offended...
nath
Appallingly childish
theeastisred
Isn't it just a case of being so deliberately absurd that nobody could possibly take it seriously? As if the wig and the nose would in any way make the wearer look 'foreign' instead of Japanese?
Admittedly not at all funny, clever or interesting but not remotely racist or insulting either.
White_Shinobi
I' m happy about it...
I think it is hilarious... I will continue to use ANA!!! Southern, white man here ;)
Mocheake
Racial stereotypes: readily available in any country you can think of. Hardly surprising.
roughneck
Yeah, soon it will be...They showed only man! How dare they only show man! It is sexist!! or They didn't show a Chinese man! They don't think Chinese are important! Typical imperial Japanese mindset!...Grow Up!!!
nath
"Hana ga takai" never made sense to me. "Takai" translated into English means "tall" and not "long". "Tall" or "Takai" is a measurement that is taken in reference from the center of the earth to the sky. "Long" or "Nagai" is a measurement that is usually in reference to a horizontal position. Does any of this make sense? Anyway, now on to the commercial. I've been here 19 years so it doesn't bother me and am surprised it bothers many foreigners living here, but to someone not accustomed to the Japanese way of thinking, I can see where they are offended. Best to have been avoided all together. A bit immature I suppose. Luckily I fly for free on military flights so I don't have to invest my $$$ in ANA.
Thunderbird2
What's wrong with custard pies?
Seriously, I don't understand why some people are getting so irate. It's just the same as putting on a red wig and doing an impression of Willy from the Simpsons... I'm Scots and that doesn't offend me. I'm a Caucasian male and the sight of a Japanese person pretending to be western with a blond wig and big nose to make a joke about appealing to non Japanese passengers isn't even remotely offensive.
Mitch Cohen
Imagine if a European airliner produced an ad, where two employees are saying "let's do something to attract Asian customers", and proceeds to squint their eyes, wear a black wig and a fake front teeth.
To me it's the same thing.
HansNFranz
Japanese apologies always come across as a bit backhanded.
James Dean Jnr.
People are overly sensitive. Is this CM racist? Probably. It doesn't matter.
Maria
A company of ANA's international standing should not be making ads worthy of a crappie Friday night 'comedy' act. Plastic noses and blond wigs from the 100yen shop. Cheap and tacky.
It's easy to say that this is nothing to be offended by. However, if you think this is nothing, will it still be nothing when the nose size is paired with a yarmulke, and the hair becomes black afro instead of blond whatever-that-style-was?
If they strap on a false belly and fake fat arse in order to fit in with another nation, will that be ok?
This is no way for an airline to advertise. It is pandering to its Japanese variety fans, not its international travellers.
Doug Birbeck
this ad doesn't bother me, a bit lame actually imho
Jimizo
@Thunderbird My coworker today told me how this kind of thing, an advertisement from an airline with an international clientele no less, embarrasses many Japanese. As I said, this reflects badly on the people showing an infantile sense of humour in a childish caricature of 'foreign' people. I work at a company where our Japanese staff are not childish, speak close to impeccable English and do not greet cultural or physical differences from the perspective of elementary school kids. This isn't what any respected Japanese company should be putting forward. Keep it in the playground or on late night TV.
justbcuzisay
They should change the last frame to have the guy accept the hug.
Cortes Elijah
Sounds like a really lame add. None the less I am sure their actual airline service rocks. I hope so, as I am flying with them to Hawaii this year.
taiko666
@Thunderbird2
Imagine for example, British Airways running a TV ad in which a BA executive dons thick, round glasses, raises the corners of his eyes with his fingers and says "Haro, I am Japaneesu!" You'd be utterly disgusted, and so would everyone, including all posters on JT.
The ANA advert is exactly the same.
cloa513
I saw a show about airline pilot (fictional). It showed ANA planes but scarily they didn't do any check any checklist before taking off. Totally scary.
john doe
I flew ANA & JAL, a long time ago. Each time I asked the flight attendant (in Japanese) for a Japanese newspaper, they insisted on commenting "oh, to look at the pictures". They could not comprehend that I could actually read Japanese. And they could not resist - they had to comment. They could have just said "hai" and brought me the paper.
I quickly tired of their condescending attitude, and have boycotted ANA and JAL for over 10 years now. AND IT FEELS GREAT!
For those of you who take time to comment - good job. But the language they REALLY understand is when you don't give them your money. So for those of you who comment on the affect of ANA's negative stereotype advertisement, and then book a flight on ANA - think about what you are doing. You are giving money to the very people who belittle and insult you.
PS: Think about what the article says: ANA KNOWS foreigners are upset by this ad - BUT THEY ARE KEEPING IT ON THE AIR!!! PSS: How many Caucasian / Black / Latino flight attendants work for ANA/JAL? Can you say ZERO? On other airlines, I see diversity. On Japanese airlines, I see low-paid SE Asians working under Japanese supervisors.
Vote with your wallets people.
wildwest
ITS FUNNY Great add, its got people talking, don't over analyse it, its a short commercial , simple and funny. They ARE laughing at them selves- Don't over analyse it, its meant for the average mono cerebral TV junkie. Not you over sensitive intellectual people with no sense of humour and an ax to grin.
BlingBlingNicky
That's a really lame commercial - fits in nicely with all the other lamo commercials on J-TV.
Now this one, on the hand, is a really good one !
<>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RV6MZHRE3jU
Those Europeans sure know how to use humor !
avigator
Kind of nonsense commercial but I do not connect it with racism. I stay away from the Iguana airlines, (ANA and Jal), because they crank up the heat like to fry you. While I am in short sleeve shirt and still hot, the locals will be wearing their jackets, and asking for blankets. And you do not see a drop of sweat.
theResident
@realist: Seriously? You are THAT offended. I'm trying to look for some sarcasm in your post. Please tell me you are in fact joking.
gogogo
Weak weak weak ANA... along with Softbank (also racist TVCM's) never recommend or use your services.
cl400
I liked it. I thought it was funny. They poke fun at Japanese stereotypes too (the not wanting a hug bit). Good English in it too. Seeing Japanese people speak English so well is good! Hopefully it inspires more people to learn English~
nath
Sign of the times, every little piece of nothing is treated as racism. It's lame, for sure, but doesn't harm myself at all...
nath
I think the big nose is a reflection of Japanese embarrassment that their own noses are so flat. They also have a fascination for the long legs that many Westerners have, but they see long legs as attractive. In any case, the end of the ad is pretty stupid. They should have played out 'do you want a hug' in a funnier way to make light of Japanese shyness or something similarly self effacing.
80393
you just cant pretend to be another race by wearing make-up or prosthetics. it will always come off as racist, no matter your intent.
Thunderbird2
Remember that next time you watch "Lawrence of Arabia"... how dare Sir Alec Guinness pretend to be an Arab!
Moderator
Back on topic please. No analogies please.
kdotson1965
Come on people - get a grip Being an American of European decent - I think that they hit the typical Surfer Dude perfectly. This is a very humorous commercial. Some people just take things too seriously and just need to lighten up. I say Go ANA!!
Mirai Hayashi
what? JMedia stereotyping foreigners?...never!...except it happens ALL THE FRICKEN TIME.
smithinjapan
"One of them says: “Let’s change the image of Japanese people.” “Sure,” replies the other, who is now wearing a blonde wig and an improbably long rubber nose."
Why not just paint a black face and have them dance around like the Little Black Samba books they refuse to change the illustrations for? It's not so much that they 'intended no offense', but that they didn't know better in the first place as a leading international carrier, and are probably baffled and only apologizing because of the negative press.
Don't these companies have test audiences before releasing things? They never learn, and the 'funny' part is seeing their faces when the justified criticism rolls in. Don't fly ANA.
David Franklin Delano Norton
Maybe this is the beginning of Shock Advertising in Japan and we are all just pawns???
Their objective was to offend and grab some free headlines from you minorities. The Japanese audience will just brush you all off as silly foreigners offended at this because you are too stupid to understand Japanese culture...
And... BAM! ANA sells more tickets...
theResident
@smith: Bloody good airline. Will continue to fly. Don't overreact like some left wing radiical intellectual. Its harmless, mildy funny but overall a little ignorant. Hardly 'little black samba stuff'! Chill a little, please.
Mirai Hayashi
@smithinjapan
There is a test audience and its usually some old fart executive with an oyaji sense of humor, who thinks stupid like this is funny. Look at all of the commercials on JTV....it packed full of stupid and corny oyaji gags that no one really finds funny except those with skewed sense of humors.
nath
I agree. In fact, that comparison shows insensitivity to the history behind black samba stuff being as insensitive as it is. It's not like white people as a group were ever slaves in Japan.
smithinjapan
theResident: "Hardly 'little black samba stuff'! Chill a little, please."
And yet the 'little black samba' still exists and publishers refuse to change the image. It's not that the commercial is THAT racist -- I was giving an extreme example -- but the mentality is the same. Do you think they would even consider changing the commercial at all if they weren't so baffled by complaints? The point is that it came so naturally to the creators, and was passed on so easily and produced, then shown.
'"One of them says: “Let’s change the image of Japanese people.”'
The irony being they didn't change it at all, only reinforced the existing image.
danalawton1@yahoo.com
In a way I'm somewhat happy that ANA will change this ad. The commercial was so lame that I would not want to watch another incarnation of it.
Pete Rock
Get over yourselves. Westerners have been using and still using such satirical stereotypes of Asian in all facets of media.
555Book
I know the meaning of this ad - that the modern Japanese are caught between the traditional and western culture. So the rubber disguise is a metaphor for the sort of hybrid culture in Japan.
OssanAmerica
LO. What a stupid commercial. But then if you ever look at the tape-on-the-eyes fake "orientals" we've had in western TV and films in the past, it's on the same stupid level.
frjdrankin
They want to be Cyrano de Bergerac?
OssanAmerica
I don't know about that. I think he looks pretty French to me. lol Now if they had the guy wearing sunglasses, white ipod earphones plugged in, chewing gum and answering "what?', then year, I'd be offended as an American..
Taketomo
Not funny. Not because of its racial insensitivity , but because of its lack of humour. People in the west do not care about how the Japanese view them. People in the west are convinced everybody wants to be them. Their image of Japanese people is that they long to be westernized and try to emulate their culture. This ad will not offend white people , it will make them laugh out of confusion! There is plenty of ignorance on both sides and this is just an example of that.
Open Minded
My understanding of this commercial message is that ANA cannot do any better, they are already the best.
Racist, most likely not, arrogant certainly!
Honestly I have flown only once ANA, and so far as I can remember it was pretty good, but not outstanding.
Kato_Koshiro
All this whining is not but the typical sensitive overreacting of the 21st century. Yes, the commercial is extremely cheesy but, no way racist.
NeoJamal
White people are actually finding Asian attempts at mocking their appearance offensive? wut? soon we‘ll be hearing the word on the streets that, ”The Minato Ward Association of Acceptance, Cooperation and Peace (MAACP) finds this humor unfunny. The neighborhood of Hiroo will light a candle in every home as a vigil to the unmitigated insensitivites of..”
Thunderbird2
Only if you have the ego the size of a planet.
If they had the ANA chap donning an Afro wig, grass skirt and sticking a bone through his nose, then yes I could see this as racist, but it isn't. It's a chap donning a comedy wig and nose and pretending to be a Caucasian to emphasise the point that ANA want to attract more people from overseas. It's not subtle, just a rather slight sight gag. I think people are making a bit much out of this.
CajunH2O
I really didn't see the problem. Actually laughed a little. Every country has it's own little jokes about other countries. Just a cm. calm down.
Thunderbird2
I just watched the ad again - and the gag is in context. Would it have made a difference if they had swapped the Japanese actor for a Caucasian actor for the sight gag? Or would that be racist too?
ironmonkeyz
Lol I love that commercial! That's funny. So stop looking for reason to scream racists! Jeesh! Not like you guys complain or evencare about western depictions of Japanese. Sure u all laugh at the asian a in driver jokes...
wtfjapan
imagine if there was a foreign commercia insinuating Japanese women had small breast, and Japanese men had small appendage. that might seem amusing to some foreigners but id say Japanese would call it racist...No!?
Wolfpack
Here we go again! The thought police are out in droves telling people they should be offended by a harmless ad. Those same people complaining about this somehow "horrible" offense against human dignity are the same ones that have no problem stereotyping those that do not think in lock step with themselves whether it be the out-groups culture, religion, or their out-of-fashion political beliefs. It seems to me that ANA's biggest offense with this ad is not knowing how the uptight thought police would seize on this silly CM as some sort of important statement about the attitudes of Japanese people regarding non-Japanese people.
More political correctness and attempts to stifle the expression of commonly held Japanese perceptions as harmless as this - by a corporation or anyone else - is counter-productive. They were obviously trying to make a humorous ad but missed the mark. The best advice I would give to ANA when utilizing a stereotype in their advertizing, especially one aimed at non-Japanese people, would be to find a way to add a parody of themselves to the mix as well. For example, the guy on the left could be wearing a shirt with a funny "Engrish" expression about the airline on it
I know that living in Japan can be tough for a foreigner but lighten up folks. Going through life angry at everything makes for a miserable existence. This CM isn't worth getting worked up over.
ironmonkeyz
Nope. And pretty sure I do have a lot bigger nose than Japanese folks. Racism this is not. This is not depicting whites as something to aspire too if anything this should be offensive to Japanese people not those of European ancestory. Let's change the image of Japan back to being more Japanese I say.
NeoJamal
oh wow Mai Ling, these Euros seem to have caught up with the times, its a matter of time before they open their first Lotteria in Paris
Wolfpack
What would make you think that? I doubt the Chinese think that way and they make up a huge chunk of the worlds population all by themselves.
Ah_so
Nothing offensive about exaggerating racial features in commercials. In the West it is quite common to represent East Asians as glasses-wearing midgets with buck-teeth and for black peope to have enormous lips. Particularly if you have a time machine and can travel back to 1965.
ironmonkeyz
Oops typo. Not depicting white negatively,but rather something to aspire too
Open Minded
Humour is most likely one of the most cultural impassable barrier.
Bondsan
harmless fun .. but that ad might have worked better if they had used one of those fat Japanese guys who like to dress up as akb48 for the image changing gag
NeoJamal
and from the great success from this European airlines ad, the French go ahead to build onsen resorts in the Pyrenees with modern squat toilets, Asian tourists arrive in loads, the Eurozone is saved JUST AS PLANNED thanks ANA for your awe inspiring initiative in advertising
David Franklin Delano Norton
A lot of you seem to think this only applies to Japanese and Non-Japanese people and each of their sensitivities but what about the kids that are bi-racial and got all those jokes and insults about having big noses etc.???
Can you see how it is offensive now?
David Franklin Delano Norton
I can just see the kids now at the local elementary school pointing at the bi-racial kid and saying "hey big-nose" this and "hey big-nose" that. or maybe they will just start calling them "ANA"???
Is that what you want to happen?
ironmonkeyz
Do what I did take your kids back home if you don't like it. Or the each them how to break a few small noses and they won't have to worry about the name calling
maglev101
you loss me at the teeth part, since that could be mistaken for being british. well, maybe not fake, but the british wins the top spot for the worse dental hygiene in the world.
Ghost rider
Change Japanese people: how about understandable English?
NeoJamal
oh dear.. and it wont stop there, they will also make fun of their non bowed legs, stalking by fashion model scouts, stop bothering these biracial kids they have enough problems as it is..
LBW2010
Yeah, my reaction (as a white male) was that the commercial was just dumb. Certainly not up to the standards set by ANA's in-flight hospitality and overall professionalism. They should just cut it before the goofy mask part and leave it at that. Would have been good.
kaimycahl
Every culture has racism even against their own! In this case ANA didn't think from a cultural perspective in terms of how this CM would be looked at world wide they put the CM out from a narrow minded Japanese perspective of how they see attracting business and not realizing the white face they were trying to attract, found it discouraging. Lesson to learn before putting something out world wide its best to do your research because what one country may think is right or funny another country may think otherwise!!
NeoJamal
I hope this ad doesnt lead to a whole load of social stereotyping of white people like being crap at nothing. Can you imagine what kind of immense pressure that would place on Whites?
Jeff Huffman
As this commercial will be run only in Japan, it's really has nothing to do with helping expand ANA's international business, no matter how badly they fumbled this. In fact, I can't even remember the last time I saw an ad touting an international airlines in the states.
Nenad Jovanović
I cant believe people get ofended by this, I am from west, and I dont see nothing ofensive, really people.
nath
I wasn't offended. meh. You have to have a sense of humor, and dome folks don't. Go home thin skinned people, and curl up in the fetal position, it will be safe there.
praack
racist? hardly - nice nose though....
very Japanese commercial that no one in the west would understand - but i am ROFL
AlexNoaburg
Come on where's everyone's sense of humor?
Viclovesdrama
I am not offended, and it's clearly targeted to the Japanese market but I don't think it's 100% right either. Just imagine Air France or Delta would do the same and put a black wig and draw slinted eyes on a blonde caucasian to go and discover Asia...
Tahoochi
Offensive? ...borderline. If anything, I find it funny that ANA is trying to be "Global", but this commercial is probably showing foreigners that Japan is quite the opposite. And as for people saying they will never use ANA again because of how racially insensitive this commercial is: You might as well boycott Japan altogether then, because it's not just ANA who has these kinds of stereotypical views (Although they're the only ones expressing them on national TV!).
oldman_13
Big freaking deal.
Some people need to lighten up in this overly PC world of ours.
Some sitcom in America had to 'apologize' for potentially offending Asians by doing a skit on Asian stereotypes.
Notice that if any Japanese entity engages in a bit of humor like this, it's time to panic and indict the entire nation of Japan as racists and xenophobes.
Yet when other countries do it, people need to lighten up and get a sense of humor.
Whatever.
Achernar
The LDP and JRP will doubtless be boosting their reservations with the airline. It will have pleased Abe, Ishihara and Hashimoto at least.
CanadianJapan
Not really sure what is the message here. I don't think any westerner has a nose as big as that. Perhaps they are trying to portray Pinocchio? Which would imply that people at ANA are a bunch of liars? Anyway this ad is really stupid.
IDontLiveInJapan
Such a lame ad.
aperdigao
Hi! I'm Portuguese so I'm also a long nose person. That's a right. It's a fact that we "Latinos" and "Pallid Faces" have longer noses that "Orientals". I'm very happy with that! And when the persons are not racists they mix and usually come up with the most beautiful looking people. I think we have to have a better sense of humor. Have a great life, enjoy.
Chris111
I also am wondering about the message of this kind of ad. What do you think it is?? For me, it has a lot of the "insider" / "outsider" feeling that one gets used to living in Japan. Of course it exaggerates the racial features of a race which is unpleasant and creates the feeling of "otherness" based on race, but can anyone interpret the message of this'? Is it funny in Japan or not so much and why?
Icecreampoliticsfova
My god, it's a joke. Get over it.
Guy Fawkes
ANA has pulled the commercial according to this article.
http://www.sponichi.co.jp/society/news/2014/01/20/kiji/K20140120007427170.html
Ed O Jidai
It was a pun! I love puns! From "Hana ga takai" to "Hana ga sekai"! (sekai being "international").
nath
It's a rather boring commercial, not up to what Japan can turn out when it really goes for it (sings along: "tarako, tarako, tappuri tarakooooo~) However I wonder what sane person would consider it to be racist or xenophobic? In fact I hope that the people who considered this one to be racist will always be far, far away from me, because their very presence will probably make me want to vomit. Anyway, I've just booked my next flight to Japan with ANA and with this posting I want apologize to ANA for the minority of dipshits that actually started this stupid ruckus! m( )m
80393
you can see it on national TV quite often.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9WdUjOQ2b2E
Promote_truth
Watched the ad again and again.... Only who wants to accuse ANA to be racist will do so, otherwise this is just a bad ad. Honestly spoken, I do not really understand it - so I will quickly forget it again and this is the least what a commercial wants to happen with it.
mammola
for us long stayers, not a surprise. Mc Donald's western nerd, katakana subtitles, gai san or gaijin san. Japanese have thousands of complexes, inferiority complex is for sure among them
Promote_truth
I going to book with ANA to Tokyo next week. The commercial will have no influence at all for my booking, since ANA service is one of the best on the world.
I am going a step further: When I lived in China I was also called "longnose" and I called the Chinese "xiao-bizi" when kidding around. So what? I believe that the whole story has been escaleted by some anti-Japan writers, maybe even Chinese or Koreans, who do everything possible to harm Japan.
How many of the "shocked" comment writers here have Chinese or Korean ancestors?
Anyhow: Japanes, please make better commercials and involve your target groups into the concept. I promise, this would help, because this one is really useless. Your beautiful country's people are the friendliest in the world and deserve more attraction and visitors.
technosphere
Oh, racist commercial?! Westerners, you are so funny people ;-)
Nenad Jovanović
@Promote_truth Totally agree with you .
Elbuda Mexicano
Some real sensitive WHITE folk here on JT! Now you all can understand how blacks etc...feel when you all make racist jokes of others!! Hahahaha! Relax and enjoy Japan!!
randomman
The commercial has virtually gone global, "playing" the hyper sensitive reaction of the narrow minded. What a fantastic marketing ploy!
Tahoochi
@ 80393: What's your point? Mine was that this stereotypical view of Caucasians is common in Japan. Maybe I was wrong that ANA is the only one showing it on TV.
AlexNoaburg
I retract my previous statement. I think minorities in America wouldn't like it if they saw the same thing about them (outside of comic acts) and as a more mainstream medium, the advert has obviously been offensive and should not have been produced or aired.
kazooie
Ok, I get it. It's funny for Japanese celebrities to dress up as a white foreigner on Japanese TV. BUT is it still funny for a foreign celebrity to dress up as a Japanese person? Like Mickey Rooney's classic take. Actually, has this ever happened over here?
Tonchi
I don't think this commercial is funny at all because I don't really see the point of what ANA wants to show as ad. But racist ? I don't think so. I live in US. There are so many TV shows show Japanese or Asian are all have black hair and thin eyes. Are they all racist? It's just a kind of image for people who don't know. I always laugh at those image of Japanese watching TV in US but never think racist. I assume people who call this commercial racist watched it on TV living in Japan. I hope they are not only just picking on something they understand because it is in English but also learn Japanese and see that rubber nose (yes, it's stupid thing) is just a image.
Karen M. Henton
I want to thank people commenting up in here and on Twitter, for giving me more insight into how white people in today's 21st century react to one instance of stereotyping that targets them and manages to reach a worldwide audience.
argyle46
Racist, don't think so. Dumb, exactly.
Dennis Bauer
I was not offended, i found it funny, "let's change the image of Japanese people" shows more of Japanese mentality than racism. And get of the PC horse allready!
Kobuta Chan
I don't see it as racist but I don't see it as funny either.
OssanAmerica
What in the world does this even mean?
mmwkdw
I don't see anything Racist in this advert, (by Japanese standards), however I would question what it's trying to promote ? Doesn't tell me anything about why I should choose ANA over JAL or any other airline... how much did the advert cost ? Perhaps the money would have been better spent on offering discounted Tickets ?
Rohet Pokrel Nepali
I found it hilarious. People are just interpreting it in negative way. It's business and in business there is no racism but profit.
Pandabelle
I seriously doubt anyone was actually offended over this ad. Maybe the faux-internet outrage style of offense that's popular these days (ie confusion between "I don't like this" and "I am offended by this").
It's a stupid CM, and this sort of humor is stupid, but it's very, very far from offensive.
GenConsensus
@mmwkdw -- this"Japanese standard" of racism, is in fact, racist. It's plain, good old fashion ignorance. Ignorance to the sensitivities that come with being a heterogeneous society, which Japan is not.
Meanwhile, it's been three days and no public statement of apology by ANA and the video is still up on ANA's Youtube channel! Who is running their communications team?!
ReformedBasher
"Japan is racist!" claim people who laugh at Sacha Cohen movies...
Actually it's amazing I wasn't murdered as a kid when I think of the things my friends and I did to poke fun at immigrants. Pretty funny when I also remember almost all of us where 2nd generation ourselves.
80393
@tahoochi
my point was that you were wrong about ANA being the only one showing it on TV.
davestrousers
So many uses of the word "offend" here. It must be the most misused word in the English language. You don't have to be offended by something for it to make you feel uncomfortable, and clearly some people do. A company like ANA should have known they have to be careful, its not like they're making an episode of South Park.
I've seen this reported elsewhere including the Guardian and Independent.. absolute schoolboy error by ANA.
Elbuda Mexicano
For too many years only the white man had loads of fun by making fun of other races, Little Black Sambo for Blacks, Speedy Gonzales for Mexicans, racist Bugs Bunny cartoons during World War 2 against the Japanese and now a little ad by ANA is gonna get under the skin of a few white folk here on the J islands?? Come on! There is more racism going on in Japan and in the USA on higher levels than some stupid ANA tv cm! Bottom line, we are all people and we should try to RESPECT each other and not make fun of each other. And by all the comments here, my guess ANA is getting loads and loads of free publicity meaning more $$$$$??
BlingBlingNicky
It's funny, especially in view of my own big nose :). To the sensitive souls who were offended - Get over it!
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2542569/Nippon-airlines-sorry-racist-advert-pokes-fun-Westerners-big-noses-blonde-hair.html#ixzz2qztGFEmo Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook
Taken from the Daily Mail's website. 1085 people agree with him by the way.
tmarie
But then if you ever look at the tape-on-the-eyes fake "orientals" we've had in western TV and films in the past, it's on the same stupid level.
In the past is the key word here.
For too many years only the white man had loads of fun by making fun of other races, Little Black Sambo for Blacks, Speedy Gonzales for Mexicans, racist Bugs Bunny cartoons during World War 2 against the Japanese and
And when were all these things created? In the past...
There is a massive difference in what "we" used to do and what we do now. "We" know better know that making fun of racial features is racist and rude. Hence, if someone were to dress up today in black face, there would be a massive outcry - and rightly so. Ted Danson did is a few years ago and was roasted for it.
We're only the same be done for "us" and others. I can't count how many times I have seen people put on face paint and a wig and then pretend to be black. It is offensive. This is no different. I think some of you are forgetting that Japan has gotten it's knickers in a knot and called in government officals to make complaints in the last few years over racist ads/TV shows that have them as buck teeth , camera carrying losers. And rightly so. Why not have the common sense and not do the same - more so when you claim you want Japanese people to trave abroad so they become more international.
ambrosia
For those saying "get over it" and "it's not racist", that's all fine and dandy for you to think that as long as you think it's okay for Japanese to be racially stereotyped as well.
For those of you saying it's fair comeuppance because whites have been racist towards many others, grow up? Didn't your mothers ever teach you that it's not okay to commit a wrong just because someone else did? Do you really want to live in a tit-for-tat world or one where people rise above that kind of garbage and prove themselves to be better than those who mock and oppress them? Are you prepared to decide that each and every white person made fun of other races, was comfortable hearing that kind of crap and did nothing about it? So, it's okay for you to lump all whites together? Again, grow up!
For ANA, what a blown opportunity! What could have been a chance to highlight our similarities became a sad stab at pointing out our differences. What do most all airline customers want? Having flown all over this great world on many airlines, I'd hazard a guess and say we all pretty much want the same things: We want the plane to leave and arrive on time and without incident. We want staff that is polite and friendly if they can manage it. We want some leg room, clean bathrooms and half way decent meals. We want our luggage to arrive when we do and intact. We want to pay reasonable prices and feel like it our money was well spent.
Why not make an ad showing that we're all pretty similar and that ANA can give us all what we want, be we Japanese or "long-nosed gaijin"?
Gretchen Shinoda
Really stupid commercial - but it did make me smile for some reason. How about changing the image by pronouncing English words more clearly!? I like the "wanna hug?" quote! Oh, and I know LOTS of Japanese who will give me a hug!
rlancy
Really, people are offended by this? I have blond hair and a big nose, I think is funny. SOme people are just too sensitive, get real and start living life.
theResident
well said rlancy! Hopefully that puts an end to this ridiclous discussion!
Dragoncloud64
You guys think this isn't racist? If they make another ad promoting tourism to Africa and the second guy comes out in blackface and an afro will it still not be racist, and just funny to you?
Mike45
This kind of thing has never bothered me, I mean, when Im on the train etc I know Im different, and can "feel" people gawking etc, but honestly I dont want to look/act like a Japanese, I am comfortable with what I am. I dont like being treated as inferior or incompetent, just because I am a foriegner, or not to be trusted, these situtations are highly offensive but the whole nose/hair thing never bothered me.
Shaun Johnson
If there was a commercial overseas of westerners making fun of Japan with something like the common small eyes stereotype then there would be an outcry.. this should be no different.
Rikidozan1
.... Then the Japanese guy dons a blond wig and rubber nose? Errr, it reeks of an inferiority complex against the West. There's a lot of subconscious stuff going on here.
SecularBeast
Good grief - so many sensitive little flowers in the world, desperately searching for something, anything, to be offended by complain about to feel self-important. I'm white, blonde, and big nosed - and don't feel the slightest bit offended. It's a joke, it's funny. There are greater societal and global issues to get hot over than a corny TV commercial.
Mike45
I dont think its a joke or funny, its typical Japanese TV- stupid. I agree that Asians in other countries have fought hard to remove sterotypes in their more progressive society, but in some Asian countries its very acceptable due to "cultural differences" to do/say offensive things and get away with it. Its just that this type of thing doesnt offend me.
nikku510
Anybody offended is just being a baby. Big deal. Something middle class white people would get pissed about .
akkk1
....squint their eyes, wear a black wig and a fake front teeth.
Breakfast at Tiffany's Mickey Rooney did just that in Breakfast at Tiffany's. Things are getting better, but It's a racist stereotype that hasn't completely died out in the west.
japanesereds
After centuries of racism and worse by the white world why so much fuss about a two minute ad?
theResident
...this is something that Daily Mail readers would get annoyed about.
80393
in 1961
DropPhone
Hm...not really offensive.
I'm just happy they didn't put the actor in a fat suit, baseball cap, delivering his closing lines with a mouth full of McDonald's french fries... ^_^
Probot2000X
lol offended white people!! Yeah the commercial is lame, but you know what, there is more racist things out there toward other colored ethnic groups in North America and Europe, so whats up. So white people think they get to treated like royals, like queen of England get real fools!!
theResident
You know, the more I watch it, the funnier the ad becomes.
Mirai Hayashi
I don't think its the fact that they are poking fun a white people that's offensive. It has to do more with how Japanese people have such a narrow and stereotypical view of what westerners 'should' look like. Foreigners are always portrayed as having blonde hair, blue eyes, tall nose, and speak in a thick foreign accent. I find this narrow view to be extremely annoying.
Peacetrain
It's not big deal. Made me laugh. White people, get over yourselves. Japanese I knew can't understand what you are bothered about. The only people complaining are probably just urusai gaijin who would even complain about being called a gaijin. Next you know they be crying because their kids were called kawaii haafu! Every country has different humour. We don't all have to be uptight.
Elbuda Mexicano
If some people really do feel offended by Japan, by ANA, JAL etc... Boycot them!! Right??
Kobuta Chan
I don't know why some peoples were offensive and upset by that ad but I have asked my buddies big nose, blonde hair and blue eyes about what they think about ANA ad. Some said funny but no one said it's racist and offensive.
Also on ABC TV Drum program, no journalists have said the ANA ad was racist and offensive but one female journalist said the ad was funny.
I don't know why Angela Fukutome was so offensive by the ANA ad.
Why should we take serious about nothing? Even British men said they don’t think the ad was racist or offensive but funny. Where's your peoples’ sense of humor?
Chris111
How would this look in reverse? Like...a US airline starts offering flights to several international destinations and says how can we change to a global image and then puts on a Japanese bun wig and tapes their eyes up? Can anyone tell me if in general Japanese people are comfortable with that kind of treatment? I am willing to hear if this kind of thing feels comfortable culturally and is considered good treatment. Thanks!
JTDanMan
This commercial is of course not very good. I don't find it's so-called anti-Western stupid content offensive, though. I don't get the sense that the ubiquitous over-use of Western stereotypes in Japan necessarily comes from a bad place. And that is my measure of whether humor and irony really are that, or just fig-leafs for a hostility or hatred. To be sure, Japan historically and to this day has a love-hate relationship with the Blonde Foreigner. But like, I said, I don't get that here.
Indeed, its much more self-deprecatory than hostile when it characterizes ware ware nihonjon as non-emotional.
I don't find it hostile to foreigners. I find it sad on that count. It saddens me because its high-prodcuition value in no way makes up for its bland, vapid and ultimately meaningless style. If you've seen any of the Star War's Prequels, you know what I mean. This really is a bummer. Somewhere in the production of this dreck lurks an abandoned xerox reference to the ironic and biting social commentary most of us appreciate – think Blazing Saddles and (early) South Park. More sadly, when you compare this drivel with what came out in Japanese post war film. How far Japan has fallen!
I am not a Culture Vulture here: the undeniable degeneration of Japan's art world in the past 30 years or so reflects the real and important degeneration of Japanese society, with its full-embrace of the unbearable vapidness of being. And most dearly to me, it's never-ending full-frontal assault on the Japanese male.
Simply put, this commerical is hostile to Japanese men. It clumsily and perhaps unwittingly, once again dishes up the long-standing and disturbingly powerful stereotype of the inscrutable, unemotional and beaten-down Japanese male.
I hate this stereotype. I hate because it arguable the single worst stereotype promoted in Japan.
Anyone who has lived in Osaka, or Kochi, or Ura Nihon knows it to be a monstrous lie, applicable at best to only the salarymen, who comprise a mere 1/4 of the workforce. It a lie that cements the class structure in Japan, excludes the non-salarymen from the Japanese pie, and condemns most Japanese males to life away from their family and to an early death from over work.
It is a lie that keeps Japanese males only vaguely cognizant and undoubtedly subservient to a social and international order that raises them to be gelded males, uses them up, and throwes them away.
It is the lie that condemned my father-in-law to a life of alcoholism, nicotine dependency, poor health and a very emotionally depressed retirement. And this was a man, who in his youth, was just full as I was of piss and vinegar two decades ago as a FOB 20-something eikaiwa teacher exploring hiking trails on saturdays and chasing skirs in Shinsaibashi on saturday nights.
To be clear: his life was mosly not his fault. Sure, he made his choices. Anyone who knows any of these men knows this empty life is the norm for those post-war boys lucky enough to get a salaryman job.
And that is the problem with this horrible commerical. To paraphrase the late, great Roger Ebert, I hated this commercial. Hate every simpering stupid vacant audience-insulting moment of it. Hated the sensibility that thought anyone would like it. Hated the implied insult to the audience by its belief that anyone would be entertained by it.
I hated it because it heaps yet another insult on the men I love: my father-in-law, my-brother in law, and especially my two nephews who, unless Japan changes and stops gelding its boys, will grow up condemned to the same empty life of alcohol abuse, a rotten job, and early death. And I hate it perhaps the most that most of you hear
Triumvere
Stupid. But not particularly offensive.
Elbuda Mexicano
Boycott ALL Japanese airlines!! That will teach them a good lesson!! Dont mess with the white man or $$$ wont be coming to ANA and JAL or any other airline that thinks that racism is fine and dandy in the 21 Century!! Down with Ishihara and all of these JJJ (The Japanese Right Wing Version of the KKK)
honey
Do Japanese think they are going to experience a lot of Caucasians in Vancouver or Hanoi? This ad is not racist,it fits just right in with their B rate Television Programming.A little surprising for ANA though.
ka_chan
It is like ethnic jokes, if you are of that group, you can joke about it. If you are not, you better not. When you used physical characteristics of a group, you are going into the racist area. Some said they didn't find it that offensive, which means at some level you found it offensive. It is only the targeted group that can say what is offensive or not. That is why most comedians jokes about their own. Some try to excuse by saying Japan is homogenous but that is not really true. There are differences and what about the Ainu, guess they are not considered Japanese. One other thing can be said, if you didn't understand the joke, you are probably not racist. As for an image of Japanese be smart and wearing glass, that not a Japanese stereotype, it's an Asian stereotype. Traditionally, the Japanese stereotype in the west and especially in the US was that of an Asian that was short, wore round black glasses and had buck teeth. That was the image used during WWII. But generally in the west, the view is that Asian look alike. That has to do more with how people recognize each other. The west as a wide variety of physical characteristics to distinguish each other, eyes: blue, light blue, grey, violet, green, brown or black to name some; for hair, white, blonde, brown, chestnut, grey, red, carrot, orange, etc; nose, big, long, small, wide, slim, straight, ski slope, etc; body type, big, slim, tall, short, broad, fat, muscular, etc. There is skin color and tone; white, pale, black, brown, red, pink, ashen, light brown, dark brown, etc. There are more variety in the west than in Asia because the west is less homogenous. And countries like the US has people from all over the world that are Americans. More so now than before. It also makes racism more observable.
Peacetrain
Maybe the people who are offended haven't been in Japan long.
The commercial is in no way making fun of gaijin. It isn't making fun of white peoples noses. Japanese don't think gaijin's noses are too big or ugly.
Almost all Japanese wish they have a western nose and don't like their noses. Go ask if you don't realise.
If anything the commercial is making fun of Japanese NOT gaijin. If you don't realise that, then you are probably having cultural misunderstandings all the time.
Again, humour is hard to understand. I know plenty of Americans who can watch much loved British comedy and not have any idea why it's funny.
Anyway, if this offends you, make sure you don't watch any Don Rickles videos. This generation has become such a bunch of boring whiners.
You must have things pretty easy to get outraged over something like that. Frankly I feel like apologising to ANA for the sulky white princesses.
The only good thing to come out of this is that next time I fly ANA I won't have to put up with so many cantankerous caucasians!. Great!
nath
Very true. And they are confused by the foreign (Caucasian?) preference for smaller noses. It's a 'grass is greener' kind of thing.
akkk1
And there are numbers of Japanese who have blonde dye jobs and blue contact lenses.
Ah_so
Another racial/cultural stereotype. Quite unfounded. Brits do not go in for compulsory braces and tooth whitening, but their is nothing wrong with the hygene. To quote from an article from the internet:
"Factually speaking, British teeth are no better or worse than any other teeth. What is true, however, is that many British people are shy about the idea of cosmetic enhancement. There is something very British about having an aversion to being flashy or showy, as such there has long been a deeply ingrained aversion to teeth whitening, straightening and cosmetic dentistry in general."
Have you ever looked into the mouths of a class of Japanese teenagers? Rotten stubs of teeth are so common.
I know this sounds off-topic, but I think it shows how stereotypes are created and sustained, something relevant to this story.
globalwatcher
Mirai HayashiJan. 20, 2014 - 10:12PM JST
Yep, I agree. I am looking forward to watching million dollar commercials during the US Super Bowl. We like smart commercials with a CLASS. I like a Master Card commercial " It is Priceless" and an ATT commercial "It does not have to be too complicated". They are not offending anyone and they deliver a clear message in them.
Tahoochi
80393Jan. 21, 2014 - 11:07AM JST
ok, thanks for pointing that out I guess... even though that was not really the focal point of my comment...
Bear27840
No one seems to have a sense of humor any more.
Daniel Neagari
People are touchy here... I wonder, how does the publicity manage the image of Japanese and Asia in general in the countries that are so "shocked", "saddened", "angry", "disappointing", etc., etc.
I suppose in those countries they DO NOT EVER fall in the use of stereotypes.
univerman
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-HWuOUxU2dQ
Ugh...not again. Caucasians in Japan... realy annoying. They have No humor and always angry about Japan. They are crazy.
ANA didn't do anything wrong. They made ad toward Japanese peoples. Gigantic nose,blond hair,blue eye,broken Japanese... These things are typical "GAIJIN"foreigner image(irrespective of age or sex) in Japan. harmless,Just funny,peacefully,traditional Japanese way. sorry,This is not Racism... of course,"GAIJIN" is not discriminatory language. No problem. Japanese peoples does not understand at all,why they are so upset about this AD. gaijin mendokusai
Seriously,If they complain they should go back to their own country...GO HOME. Go ahead ANA, you should not apologize. ignore stupid foreign noisy minority. they want to twist Japanese society to suit themselves. it is same problem about 'whaling'.
Japan need resist stupid foreign pressure, We must defend the right to freedom of expression. Japan is Japanese people's country.
thx
danako
This is me, blond, blue, big nose. I don't mind being the butt of a gag as long as it's clever. Just didn't think this was. But nothing racist as far as I'm concerned.
Guy Fawkes
ANA didn't do anything wrong. They made ad toward Japanese peoples. Gigantic nose,blond hair,blue eye,broken Japanese... These things are typical "GAIJIN"foreigner image(irrespective of age or sex) in Japan. harmless,Just funny,peacefully,traditional Japanese way. sorry,This is not Racism... of course,"GAIJIN" is not discriminatory language. No problem. Japanese peoples does not understand at all,why they are so upset about this AD. gaijin mendokusai
Seriously,If they complain they should go back to their own country...GO HOME. Go ahead ANA, you should not apologize. ignore stupid foreign noisy minority. they want to twist Japanese society to suit themselves. it is same problem about 'whaling'.
Japan need resist stupid foreign pressure, We must defend the right to freedom of expression. Japan is Japanese people's country.
I'm glad that I went "home". I got tried of listening to Japanese like you.
Ranger_Miffy2
The video is blocked. ANA lawyers must have talked to JT...so ANA is not only racist, they are gutless.
nath
Really, who cares? I lived in Japan for 12 years and this sorta' commercial was pretty much par for the course. Did i ever feel offended? Not in the least. We have too many people with really thin skins these days. It's just a flippin' commercial!
maxjapank
@Jason 12 years and no longer here. Feeling's a bit different for people who call Japan their home and live here permanently.
JTDanMan
After reading through every comment, three things are apparent to me:
Few here support racism and hateful racial stereotyping. That is good. There is wide disagreement where the line is between using our racial and ethnic differences and stereotypes for some reason, often humor, and promoting hateful stereotypes, for evil.Let's call this range the the Racial/Ethnic Stereotyping Tolerance Spectrum (RESTS).
At one end of the RESTS are those who find offense in nearly any comedic or ironic use of the differences between ethnic and racial groups; at the other, those who find Blazing Saddles and (early) South Park bitingly humorous social commentary that is hilarious because it is true -- True in the sense that even though we do embrace the stereotype, we recognize that other do. And also true in the send that it exposes ideas, attitudes and prejudices that many of us have to some degree, even though our better or more rational part of our nature recognizes them as bad, wrong and stupid.
I suppose it really comes down to how we think the best way is to rid ourselves and our societies of these dangerous, damaging and ultimately hateful prejudices. Or, at least, inoculate ourselves against them.
I take the view that satire and irony is one of the best ways to accomplish this inoculation. Often, I am laughing at myself just as much as the object of ridicule. Because I am all too human. And I, on this account, find the self-righteous tone of some of those here and elsewhere lacking a self-awareness and rooted in moralizing self-interest. (see below)
The problem with this commercial is that it represents the all-to-common Japanese use of the racial stereotyping of ware ware nihonhin v the gaijin in a manner that does not disarm the stereotypes, but rather reinforces them.
Simply put, I see no difference between BlackFace and the Blonde Hair Wig and the Nose. If you are gonna use it, you'd better be thinking very carefully about how the use of either of these explosively racially charged and racist images further the dismantling of the prejudice. Making casual use as a prop to sell something is really in bad taste. At best.
As I wrote in my previous post, the real racism in this commercial is not directed at foreigners. The blonde wig is a casual, thoughtless insult. No, the real racism is towards the Japanese man, portraying him as a beaten-down, unimaginative and lifeless excuse for a man. As I wrote, this is a hateful stereotype.And what I did not write in before, but alluded to in point 2 above, is how those here hollering the loudest at the racism show-cased in the offending ANA commercial, ENTIRELY MISS THE REAL INSULT HERE.
And they do so because they are over-concerned with themselves and not thinking about the real victims of Japan's casual racism: the Japanese.
I urge those here to consider that your life in Japan will only improve when the Japanese themselves become liberated from the hateful stereotypes Japanese society inflict on everyone.
John Constantine
Speaking for myself....I thought it was hilarious.
smapattack
The comments from the Japanese on Yahoo news is certainly disheartening. To sum up, some comments: Japan does this kind of humor all the time and that Westerners have no right to complain/claim racism all the time when Japanese are depicted by Korean actors in movies or as ninja or samurai, or when they are portrayed with glasses and buck teeth. Also, comments such as, "If you don't like it don't come to Japan" were prevalent.
http://headlines.yahoo.co.jp/cm/main?d=20140120-00000038-jij_afp-bus_all&s=lost_points&o=desc&p=2
I haven't seen overtly racist portrayals of Japanese in a long time. Korean actors playing Japanese is probably because of human resource issues. That being said, I don't mind at all if another nationality plays the part of an American (aka: many Brits who play American actors). To me, that's not racist at all. I also think it's harder for the Japanese to claim they are not racist when they are such a xenophobic and homogenous country. They seem to have no problem or cannot grasp why this is seen as offensive, and that's probably due to being such a homogenous country.
Lastly, it's interesting to note that when comparing Japantoday comments with the Japanese comments the Japanese seemed much more outraged at the call of racism than Westerners at the content of the CM. How silly.
NeonFraction
This ad doesn't offend me. But it is racist. And I think we should be against all types of racism, no matter who it is directed at.
HaileG
Univerman
Yes I lived in Japan for many years and when people ask me about Japan I tell them about people like you. I tell them not to believe the outward smile of Japanese. I tell them about the real Japan.
nath
maxjapank --- Need a towel? Is that river outside my apartment here in the States created by your tears? If that commericqal affects you so much as you are "living there", then do the simple thing: LEAVE! If life is so terrible for you in Japan now because of a lame brain commercial, then, really, do the simple thing. Planes leave from Narita to other parts of the world every day.
For my part, I lived happily in Japan for 12 years, and had it been possible, I'd still be there. All this to say, offence taken by this commercial is childish --- trust me, I've seen much, MUCH worse. Sso a Japanese man throws on a blond wig and a rubbern ose. anyone ever see any of the "POLICE ACADEMY" movies"? Remember the Japanese Cadet? Think he was and/or is stereotypical of all Japanese? Think anyone took or takes ofense?
Seriously, folks.........
Bryan E Hall
It is absurd to call that a racist commercial. it is silly at worst surreal comedy at best. There is absolutely no mention of foreigners or any a race at all in the ad. If someone is so sensitive as to assume the fat and that was about them, they should probably boycott Japan and leave on the first flight available from of course, a different airline.
nath
It's really amazing how an international airline company that deal with people from all around the world can come up with an ad like this.
It's time for "galapagos Japan" to wake up.
jpntdytmrow
Actually, my teen bi-racial son showed this to me and said his friends thought it was really stupid and funny. We thought it showed the true dilemma of the people of this country. Still not confident and wanting to change their image. I didn't get an inkling of racism but just thought it showed the sad truth. Japan doesn't get it. They are hoping for a huge profit from the 2020 Olympics and really concerned about how to deal with or attract the onslaught of foreingers to Japan in 2020. They offer free Internet access to eastern and northeastern Japan for tourists, up the JET program to get more "foreign English teachers into schools" and all the time, not even aware that there are already real foreigners actually living in Japan, contributing to society, population growth, and taxes. Nor, are they aware that many of the people coming to Japan in 2020 may not be people who speak English! ANA-L just gave us a pathetic insight into Japan. (A little tempted to dawn a wig and a nose on my next flight, though......just for laughs of course!!!)
Bryan E Hall
Perhaps people need to focus on something real, like foreigners being discriminated against for being more qualified than their Japanese supervisors; yet paid less and getting no bonuses or job guarantees. The immaturity of the ad is clear, but I just don't see the racism. It doesn't connect the act in any way to foreigners; and frankly I know several Japanese people who have big noses and blonde hair; it is surreal, people. If you are not Japanese, you just don't get it. Welcome to the world of not understanding native humor. But harm? Please, do you watch American advertizing?
jojotoday
Well at least he was played by an actual actor of Japanese descent, and he ended up getting together with a white woman in the movie too (which rarely happens). So your comparison is pretty lame.
Phitio
I don't perceive this so much as racist as I do as an exhibition of Japan's general ignorance and apathy towards the rest of the world: to the common Japanese psyche there are only two countries in existence: Japan and 外国. And it follows that there are only two types of human: Japanese and 外国人.
nath
That's a little bit of an over-simplification. Japanese grammatical structure requires separating everything into an in-group (内 - uchi) and an out-group (外 - soto). As such, when speaking of references to Japan, Japan becomes the in-group and while not-Japan becomes the out-group. It's not so much saying that everything else in the world is all one country, as it saying that everything else in the world that is not Japan, is not-Japan. The in-group and out-group will change depending on what they are speaking of. When speaking of Asia, Asia becomes the in-group, and the rest of the world becomes the out-group. They are not saying that there is 'Asia' and 'everyone else', it's just that the grammatical structure of the sentence will group Asia together, leaving the rest of to be separate.
Many foreigners in Japan complain about not being included, always being on the outside, but this is also incorrect. Foreigners working in a company, or on a sports team, will be referred to as in-group by people in their company/team, when those people are speaking to others outside of that company/team. The other company/team will not take offense at not being included while the foreigner is, as it wouldn't make sense to.
Unfortunately, this in-group out-group division often does lead to discrimination in various ways. But it's hard for the Japanese to understand how/why, because the very structure of the language - the words used and their conjugation - require a distinction between in-group and out-group. So to change this mentality would potentially require a restructuring of the entire language.
nath
There's no such thing. Please elaborate.
nath
Well, for a simple example, to look at:
見る vs. 拝見する
Both mean the same thing. One you would use with someone in your in-group, one you would use with the out-group. Using the wrong one puts the user in the incorrect group. The entire language is structured this way, by choosing the level with which you speak with someone, and about someone, you have to decide whether they are in your in-group or out-group, and conjugate accordingly.
nath
That has to do with honorifics, nothing to do with in groups and out groups.
nath
Yes, and those honorifics depend on deciding where in relation the other person is compared to you - whether they are in your in-group or outrgoup. The very word you choose will identify the person as part of your in group or out group.
Another example. Let's say I am talking to someone from another company (outgroup) of the height of Mr. Smith. But in fact, there is a Mr. Smith in their company, and a Mr. Smith in my company.
If I say:
Then Mr. Smith is part of their group, defined by the application of -san to their name.
If I say:
Then Mr. Smith is part of my group, defined by the omission of -san from their name.
In-group and out-group are always implied in Japanese by the language chosen. And therefore, it's not possible to remove the differentiation between in-group and out-group, as the very grammatical structure of the language requires it.
Moderator
Back on topic please.
1glenn
If a Western firm made a commercial of a slant-eyed, buck -toothed Oriental with a slouch, how would Japanese respond?
Peacetrain
"I don't perceive this so much as racist as I do as an exhibition of Japan's general ignorance"
Exactly. I've only spoken to three Japanese about this commercial. Ranging from 38 to 58. All three like "gaijin". All three probably wished they looked more western. Two of them have travelled the world, and are learning English.
I showed them the commercial, and they couldn't understand at all what was wrong with it.
Ironically, two of them didn't even notice the guy with the nose because they were too busy looking at the guy on the left who they love.
iow, yes Japanese should realise that you can't make a commercial like that. And esp the PR dept of a company like ANA should know it. It's pretty baffling.
Just want to say that there was obviously no malice or intention of belittling involved. That might be hard to understand. But think about it. They wouldn't have done it if they thought they would lose customers.
So it's not evil racism, it's just.....Japanese not having a clue about the way the world thinks.
I had a hard time explaining to the three Japanese women why people were offended.
There needs to be a class in school about the way the rest of the world thinks. Beginning with WW2, comfort women, etc etc, and right up to the use of words and images.
Even with TV, the internet, most people travelling overseas, Japan still has a island nation mentality.
But give them a break. Let's face it. How many of you were complimented on your nose back home?
maxjapank
@Jason It is typical for those who won't listen to say "leave." But this is my home, my family's home. And I have a right to speak up about what I find unjust to minorities in Japan. We are only 1.6% of the population, and yes...Chinese, Koreans, Filipinos, Brazilians have a much harder time than us "white" minorities. But we should have a voice in matters like these.
I do not pretend to speak for all minorities living in Japan. I recognize that others who consider Japan their home may not find anthing offensive with the commercial. But I do think there is a big difference in the opinions of those who are here temporarily versus those who are here permanently.
Blue Sushi
Just had a brief look through the hundreds of comments - I'm a bit too busy to read them all. I'd like to comment on the last one in the thread - maxjapank. I agree too, as a resident of Japan I think that the 'If you don't like it - leave' argument is a little immature. And it's one I hear quite often here. I'd like to point out, as I always do, that this gaijin pays national tax and city tax and contributes to the local area via shops, restaurants and bars. I get involved in Japanese cultural things and can read and write Japanese to a pretty good level. I also fly back to Europe once every two years thus I have to consider flying options.
I've always thought that humour / humor is a good riposte. I'm sure 99.9% of Japanese don't read the comments on this site and so our voices will probably not be heard. And even if they did, how long would it before someone piped up 'If you don't like it...'
My suggestion is, a large group of various ethnic extractions (I am at least 2) turn up at various places in Tokyo wearing large smiles, false noses and blonde wigs. I reckon someone would notice that.
Direct action with a laugh. Is that plausible.
ReformedBasher
zzzzzzzzzz
Slamdunk
I've always thought that humour / humor is a good riposte. I'm sure 99.9% of Japanese don't read the comments on this site.
Oh yes I feel special being that 0.01%.
It's quite depressing to see all these negative people leaving nasty comments on this website.
Like I said, this discussion is getting old and going nowhere. Come on chill out. Have a beer. Go for a good hotspring.
And remember. There are still many beautiful people out there in the real world.