Tennis player Naomi Osaka stars in a new Japanese anime-style ad that has "prompted criticism in Japan, where she has challenged a longstanding sense of cultural and racial homogeneity," according to Daniel Victor of the N.Y. TIMES. The cartoon version of Osaka in the ad "bears little resemblance to her real, biracial self," as her skin was "unmistakably lightened, and her hair style changed." The ad -- unveiled this month by Nissin -- features Osaka and fellow Japanese player Kei Nishikori in a cartoon "drawn by Takeshi Konomi, a well-known manga artist." Nissin Corporate Communications Assistant Manager Daisuke Okabayashi yesterday apologized in an email for the "confusion and discomfort" caused by the ad. He said, "There is no intention of whitewashing. We accept that we are not sensitive enough and will pay more attention to [the] diversity issue in the future" (N.Y. TIMES, 1/23). In Tokyo, Baye McNeil wrote, "Come on, Nissin. Was this a business decision? Did you have concerns that your customers might be forced to uncomfortably ponder issues of race or ethnicity while slurping down a bowl of U.F.O. Yakisoba?" Anime fans "aren't used to seeing women of color in the genre." Nissin said that Osaka was "involved in the ad's creation, but how are we to know to what extent?" Nissin "blew it" (JAPANTIMES.co, 1/19).
