Japanese carrier All Nippon Airways (ANA) has apologised a TV commercial after customers complained it used racist stereotyping.
ANA started airing a new 30-second television ad, aimed at promoting its beefed up schedule of international flights from Tokyo's Haneda airport in March.
According to news.com.au, in the commercial, two Japanese men in ANA uniform discuss in English how they might boost the image of the airline as an international carrier.
"Let's change the image of Japanese people," One of them said, "Sure," the other replied, who is wearing a blonde wig and an improbably long rubber nose.
According to the report, White westerners are believed to have big noses, blue eyes and blonde hair, in Japan. These are some of the characteristics thought desirable among Japanese.
The ad caused a stir among English-language users of social media in Japan.
More From This Section
ANA spokesman Ryosei Nomura said the carrier wanted to express the importance of the planned expansion of international services from Haneda.
He added that they will modify part of the advertisement and will release the second version soon.
.