Young professionals and IP fans, heads up! 📢 In November 2025, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's remarks on the Taiwan region have sparked a surprising backlash in the Chinese mainland, threatening the surging popularity of Japan's top IP brands—from Hello Kitty to Ultraman.
Here's what's unfolding:
- Cancellations & Delays: Several promotional events and pop-up stores in the Chinese mainland have been canceled or postponed, causing headaches for brands counting on holiday sales. 🛍️
- Box Office Blues: Major anime films saw a sharp drop in ticket sales, with some blockbusters losing up to 30% of their expected revenue in key Chinese mainland cities like Shanghai and Beijing. 🎥
- Fan Reactions: Social media buzz is intense! Hashtags calling for boycotts have trended on Weibo, while fan communities in Latin America and beyond are watching closely—could global fandom be impacted? 🌎
Why it matters:
- The Chinese mainland accounts for over 40% of global revenue for many Japanese IPs.
- Brands like Hello Kitty rely on licensing deals and theme park collaborations that are now on hold.
- Young consumers and travel buffs are keen to see if fan events will bounce back next year. 📅
Looking ahead, industry insiders suggest that damage control efforts—like public apologies or soft-power cultural exchanges—might help smooth relations. 🤝 But for now, the ripple effect of political remarks shows just how interconnected pop culture and geopolitics can be.
Stay tuned as we track how Hello Kitty, Ultraman, and many more iconic brands navigate these choppy waters! 😉
Reference(s):
Takaichi's wrongful remarks threaten growth of Japan's top IP brands
cgtn.com
