All Nippon Airways has been forced to apologise for an advert which has been criticised for ‘racially stereotyping’ Westerners.
The Japanese airline first aired the advert on Saturday, which features a Japanese character wearing a blond wig and large false nose, to promote its increased range of international flights from Tokyo’s Haneda airport in March.
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.
The ad received complaints from ‘mostly foreigners’ via Facebook and Twitter leading to the Japanese airline saying it is withdrawing the TV ad.
Others have commented on it being ‘pretty funny’.
The airline has apologised and decided to withdraw the commercial.
An ANA spokesman said "The commercial was intended to be a humorous way of highlighting the increased number of international services ANA is operating from Haneda Airport.
"It was not our intention to cause offence and we apologise to anyone who was upset by the advertisement. ANA has now decided to withdraw this commercial."
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