Hello Kitty maker Sanrio cuts ties with TV spy show "Vivant" after China backlash

Sanrio has ended its collaboration with the Japanese TV spy show "VIVANT" following a backlash in China over Hello Kitty toys dressed as spies from the show. The show depicts a fictional Chinese intelligence agency, sparking criticism amid tense China-Japan relations. Sanrio's Chinese subsidiary apologized and cited inconsistency with its corporate philosophy as the reason for termination.