日本のハローキティと「ファック・アップ・ザ・ワールド」by LISA Japanese HELLO KITTY in "FUCK UP THE WORLD" by LISA

Recently people ask me, is HELLO KITTY from Korea? No, from Japan. We may actually argue, if this kind of culture appropriation in the context of K-Pop has to be analysed or not.
HELLO KITTY also known by her real name KITTY WHITE (キティ・ホワイト, Kiti Howaito), is a fictional character created by SHIMIZU Yuko, currently designed by YAMAGUCHI Yuko, and owned by the Japanese company Sanrio. Sanrio depicts HELLO KITTY as a British anthropomorphized white cat with a red bow and no visible mouth. According to her backstory, she lives in a London suburb with her family, and is close to her twin sister Mimmy, who is depicted with a yellow bow.

Originally, HELLO KITTY was only marketed towards pre-teenage girls, but beginning in the 1990s, the brand found commercial success among teenage and adult consumers as well. HELLO KITTY’s popularity also grew with the emergence of Japanese KAWAII 可愛い (かわいい / カワイイ) cute, super cute culture.

UNICEF has appointed HELLO KITTY children’s ambassador, and the Japanese government appointed her as “ambassador of tourism”.
Now, you would think, wtf with KITTY WHITE, why does this cat has to be white? And not black, brown or yellow?
Unconsciously you discover a discriminating message, which is influencing girl’s behaviour, socialisation and educational development (even school supplies).

Singer LISA, who’s from Thailand, has now briefly parodied HELLO KITTY in her latest video clip of “FUCK UP THE WORLD”, published 2 days ago. LISA’s tremendously talented capacity in multilayered performance practices makes HELLO KITTY’s appearance a minor, but captivating, statement. Dear ART+CULTURE readers may remember this kind of topic:
現代日本のオタク文化：名取さな Contemporary Japanese Otaku Culture: SANA NATORI
https://art-culture.world/articles/japanese-otaku-culture-sana-natori/

Shintaro Tsuji, founder and president of Sanrio Co., smiles as he poses with a Hello Kitty model at a Sanrio shop in Tokyo

It’s a fact, that the Japanese “Kawaii-Culture” had been “adapted” by big parts of Asian girls and women. Is it a serious, pinky, problem?
You decide.
Tokyo, 2nd of March 2025
Mario A