MELBOURNE – Japanese noodle-maker Nissin apologised on Thursday for an “anime” advert featuring Naomi Osaka, the tennis star said, after the firm’s portrayal of the half-Haitian player with pale skin sparked accusations of “whitewashing”.
The cup noodle company, which sponsors the US Open women’s champion, found itself in hot water with its cartoon advert, also featuring fellow tennis star Kei Nishikori, as the pale-skinned character bore scant resemblance to the 21-year-old Osaka.
Speaking at a press conference at the Australian Open, Osaka said the company had spoken to her after the controversy erupted.
“I’ve talked to them. They’ve apologised,” she told reporters.
“I don’t think they did it on purpose to be, like, whitewashing or anything. But I definitely think that the next time they try to portray me... I feel like they should talk to me about it.”
The adverts have already been pulled from circulation, Nissin Foods spokesman Daisuke Okabayashi told AFP.
“We never had the intention to do what is known as ‘whitewashing’, but with this becoming an issue, we will pay more attention to respect for diversity in our PR activities,” he said.
The firm had initially obtained agreement from Osaka via her representatives, the spokesman added.
Osaka, who has a Japanese mother, a Haitian father and was raised in the United States, has not commented publicly on the issue as she bids for a second consecutive Grand Slam title at the Australian Open.
😴🚶♀️ @Naomi_Osaka_'s itinerary as she prepares for her first #AusOpen final against Petra Kvitova 😂 pic.twitter.com/b6hJOzBvZD
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 24, 2019
The advert sparked debate on social media, with one user writing: “Didn’t anyone question why her skin colour was so pale? Her identity is completely ignored.”
Another Japanese Twitter user complained: “This isn’t Naomi Osaka. Isn’t this clearly whitewashing?”
However, others noted Nishikori was also portrayed with lighter skin, which tends to be the norm in “anime” cartoons.
The real Nishikori “isn’t that light, eyes aren’t that round, and nose is wider. They are both drawn in anime style,” said one defender of the advert.
Osaka has dual Japanese-American citizenship, and often replies to questions from Japan’s media in English, apologising for not knowing the appropriate word when she speaks Japanese.
Our 2019 #AusOpen Women's Singles finalist @Naomi_Osaka_'s message to her Japanese fans 🎌 #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/eSjkAd1HFU
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 24, 2019
Japan remains a fairly homogeneous country, and mixed-race children can often face prejudice, although attitudes among younger generations are changing.
Osaka became the first Japanese player to win a Grand Slam last year after beating Serena Williams at the US Open.
That match also sparked a cartoon/race controversy when a caricature of Williams, who is black, appeared showing a butch and fat-lipped player jumping up and down on a broken racquet.
The match was marked by heated exchanges between Williams and the umpire.
Osaka and Williams were on a semi-final collision course at the Australian Open, but the American coughed up a match point to lose to Karolina Pliskova.