Beijing blasts Japan TV drama for spreading anti-China sentiment

Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun has criticized the Japanese TV drama Vivant, saying that a certain force in Japan was attempting to use the show to smear China's image and spread anti-China sentiment.

The drama, produced by Japan's leading TV network Tokyo Broadcasting System, has triggered fury in China for its demonizing China and beautifying Japanese spy operations.

Japanese toy giant Sanrio has announced cancellation of its partnership with the TV drama series due to public fury in China against the drama.

At a daily news briefing in Beijing on Thursday, Guo said, "This TV series once again exposes the persistent existence of a certain force within Japan that attempts to use cultural products to distort and smear China's image and spread anti-Chinese sentiment."

This "should serve as an alert for the international community and fair-minded individuals within Japan," he added.