Tokyo - Japan's All Nippon Airways said it would change a television commercial after it was accused of being racist and stereotyping caucasians.
The country's biggest carrier decided to pull the advert after receiving criticism through email, social media and phone calls, ANA spokesman Ryosei Nomura said.
The airline “intended for the commercial to encourage Japanese people to change so that they could be active internationally,” Nomura said.
The airline aired the commercial Saturday through Monday, which aimed to promote the carrier's increased international flights out of Tokyo Haneda airport.
The 30-second ad shows two men - one taller and one shorter - speaking to each other in English.
The taller man asks, “You want a hug?” When the shorter one looks surprised, he says, “Such a Japanese reaction. Let's change the image of Japanese people!” “Sure,” says the second man, who is then seen wearing a long blond wig and a fake pointy nose.
The airline will alter the commercial while taking the “different views” into account, Nomura said. - Sapa-dpa