The Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) legislative caucus yesterday panned Taipei EasyCard Corp for using images of Japanese adult video actress Yui Hatano to promote sales, calling for an immediate halt to plans to sell cards featuring Hatano’s portrait, and for Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) to tender a public apology.
The Taipei City Government, Taipei Rapid Transit Corp, Taipei Fubon Bank and 12 bus companies in Taipei are the major shareholders of EasyCard Corp, and the chairman is appointed by the mayor.
The city government and EasyCard have been criticized for announcing plans to sell 15,000 sets of EasyCards displaying images of Hatano starting on Tuesday, in an attempt to achieve Ko’s demand for a 100 percent increase in sales.
Photo: Wang Yi-sung, Taipei Times
KMT caucus deputy secretary-general Wang Yu-min (王育敏) said such actions are absurd and that EasyCards should be suitable for all ages, adding that such marketing tactics are clearly targeting the adult male demographic.
Wang said he could not believe that there was not a more suitable Taiwanese model who would be more appropriate for the company to use, adding that it would be unlikely for parents to allow their children to possess EasyCards displaying images of Hatano.
The company should not have asked an adult video actress to promote their products and plans to sell such cards should be ceased immediately, Wang said, adding that Ko should apologize over the incident.
Taipei City Councilor Lee Yen-hsiu (李彥秀) of the KMT said her opposition was not over any individual or their method of marketing, but rather against the company, adding that if her children asked her who the woman on the card was, she would not know how to answer the question.
Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Taipei City Councilor Liang Wen-chieh (梁文傑) said that the company has gone too far in an attempt to raise its sales, adding that it should not pursue the strategy, as doing so would bring further shame on Ko.
Fu Jen Catholic University assistant professor Chou Wei-hang (周偉航) wrote on Facebook that those who professed they would not know how to explain images of Hatano to their children were feigning innocence.
“Do you explain to your children why the sun shines, or why they should let others take a seat [on public transport]?” Chou wrote.
It would be similar to children asking why coins still display the image of former president Chiang Kai-shek (蔣介石), who many say was a murderer, Chou wrote.
“Of course you would know what to do; [you are] only feigning innocence [if you say you do not],” Chou wrote.
Lawyer Lu Chiu-yuan (呂秋遠) said: “The public is apparently far more lenient toward corrupt and inept politicians who have lied to the public for eight years than they are of adult video actresses, who are innocent of crimes aside from their vocation.”
Lu added that despite opposition over using an adult video star to promote merchandise, the industry was legal in Japan.
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