SHUNSUKE TABETA, Nikkei staff writer
October 18, 2021 19:23 JST
Beijing
says 'dignity' hurt by insensitivity over 1937 clash that triggered war Sony's Chinese
unit has apologized for planning a product launch event on July 7, the
anniversary of Japan's invasion of China in 1937.
© Reuters BEIJING
-- Chinese authorities said they have slapped a fine of 1 million yuan
($155,500) on Sony Group's Chinese subsidiary over violations of advertising
laws. The
electronics-to-entertainment conglomerate faced criticism in China this summer
after announcing plans to hold a product launch event on July 7, the
anniversary of the clash between Japan and China in 1937 that led to the
full-blown Second Sino-Japanese War. Sony
apologized and canceled the event following major backlash. However, Chinese
authorities still fined the company last week, saying that its actions hurt the
dignity of the nation. China's
advertising law states that online advertisements must not hurt the dignity or
interests of the state. The 1 million yuan fine Sony has to pay is the maximum
amount stipulated in China's law. Sony's
Chinese unit said the company "respects the decision and will
cooperate." The unit said, "We have thoroughly reviewed and improved
our operations under the guidance of the relevant state department so as not to
make similar mistakes," adding that "we will use this case as a
lesson to take appropriate preventive measures in our daily operations." July
7 marks the anniversary of the Marco Polo Bridge Incident in 1937, which
triggered the Second Sino-Japanese War. Chinese
authorities also said they have fined the Chinese unit of South Korea's Samsung
Electronics 400,000 yuan, claiming that the company's advertisements for two
smartphone models violate laws around interference with social order and
spurring disobedience. 
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