Actor Jackie Chan (成龍) caused outrage among Japanese netizens when he was quoted as saying that: “Sometimes, I would like to see some countries hit by great disasters, such as a tsunami or a great earthquake” in a recent interview with The Associated Press.
Chan went on to say that: “In the wake of the disaster, you would see the whole world coming to help that country … if there are no tsunamis, no earthquakes, no one has anything to do, then politics comes into play — I’ll attack you, you’ll attack him — I don’t like to see such things.”
It is not the first time that Chan has sparked controversy, and the mention of tsunamis and earthquakes touched a nerve in Japan.
Photo: CNA
Thousands of netizens have posted comments about the story on Yahoo’s Japanese Web site. Many said they are fans of the actor, but had been upset by his comments, while other vowed to never watch his movies again.
One netizen said Chan was “crazy,” while another said he “has starred in too many action films and hit his head one too many times” and still others said his remarks were intentional, rather than a faux pas.
“Jackie Chan had pretended to be friendly toward Japanese to boost [movie] ticket sales, but is now completely [brainwashed] by the Chinese,” one netizen wrote.
Others said Chan’s past remarks showed he was “the Chinese Communist Party’s lapdog.”
Some netizens called for the destruction of all products featuring the action star, or urged Japanese TV stations to stop airing any advertisements featuring him.
Three Taiwanese airlines have prohibited passengers from packing Bluetooth earbuds and their charger cases in checked luggage. EVA Air and Uni Air said that Bluetooth earbuds and charger cases are categorized as portable electronic devices, which should be switched off if they are placed in checked luggage based on international aviation safety regulations. They must not be in standby or sleep mode. However, as charging would continue when earbuds are placed in the charger cases, which would contravene international aviation regulations, their cases must be carried as hand luggage, they said. Tigerair Taiwan said that earbud charger cases are equipped
Foreign travelers entering Taiwan on a short layover via Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport are receiving NT$600 gift vouchers from yesterday, the Tourism Administration said, adding that it hopes the incentive would boost tourism consumption at the airport. The program, which allows travelers holding non-Taiwan passports who enter the country during a layover of up to 24 hours to claim a voucher, aims to promote attractions at the airport, the agency said in a statement on Friday. To participate, travelers must sign up on the campaign Web site, the agency said. They can then present their passport and boarding pass for their connecting international
UNILATERAL MOVES: Officials have raised concerns that Beijing could try to exert economic control over Kinmen in a key development plan next year The Civil Aviation Administration (CAA) yesterday said that China has so far failed to provide any information about a new airport expected to open next year that is less than 10km from a Taiwanese airport, raising flight safety concerns. Xiamen Xiangan International Airport is only about 3km at its closest point from the islands in Kinmen County — the scene of on-off fighting during the Cold War — and construction work can be seen and heard clearly from the Taiwan side. In a written statement sent to Reuters, the CAA said that airports close to each other need detailed advanced
WEATHER Typhoon forming: CWA A tropical depression is expected to form into a typhoon as early as today, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said yesterday, adding that the storm’s path remains uncertain. Before the weekend, it would move toward the Philippines, the agency said. Some time around Monday next week, it might reach a turning point, either veering north toward waters east of Taiwan or continuing westward across the Philippines, the CWA said. Meanwhile, the eye of Typhoon Kalmaegi was 1,310km south-southeast of Oluanpi (鵝鑾鼻), Taiwan’s southernmost point, as of 2am yesterday, it said. The storm is forecast to move through central
RSS