Miniso Causes Confusion Between Chinese and Japanese Culture
Chinese low-cost retailer Miniso recently found itself in hot water after its Spanish team uploaded an Instagram post of Disney princess-inspired dolls wearing qipaos or cheongsams.
Although the garment is traditionally Chinese, in Miniso Spain’s caption, the dolls were called “geishas,” which are upper-class Japanese hostesses.
Chinese netizens are especially outraged that a Chinese brand has made such a gross mistake, and have called for a boycott of the brand.
While Miniso has published public apologies, netizens are pointing out the brand's history of marketing itself as Japanese.
In addition to adopting a Japanese-sounding name, the company’s logo is suspiciously similar to Japanese retailer Uniqlo’s.Click the button below for the full story.