This is disturbing on so many levels that I don't know where to begin.

While I don't think that the Japanese meant any ill will or overt racism, I do know that having traveled abroad that many non-Americans connote blacks with Simians - largely due to African correlation. So the implication is there.

It was just a terrible ad choice and whomever the ad executive was should be strongly reprimanded if not fired.

I don't think that any neo-Cons had their hands in this, but then again I don't know that for sure.

I just think it's improper when we, as Americans, are taught in advertising to be sensitive to other countries especially if we plan to market or sell our products globally. Even if they are not planning to do that, they have to realize that Americans, black and white, are present in their country and see their commercials.

This is simply deplorable.

Because he knows people like you, Jim, won't listen to a single thing he says anyway, so why waste his time right now. The Japanese really didn't know there was anything to it. They actually rever the monkey as being intelligent and noble. It's pretty dumb to think a Japanese company will ignore their own country's cultural heritage to adopt a foreign country's just to make a racist statement about a foreign political candidate. Remember, the commercial only ran in Japan.

how did they get George Bush to do the ad for eMobile? Remember for whom the chimp smirks, it smirks at thee

Ooo, stop the presses! Somebody in a remote part of the world made a reference to Obama that in some twisted way could be interpreted as negative! See how Obama despite his popularity and millions in fortune is a victim of the entire world?

I Would vote for the Monkey over Nobama

******************************************

MAYBE THE AD MAKER IS RACIST OR THE EXECS ARE RACIST
MAYBE NOT
MAYBE THE EXECS KNOW THE AD HAS RACIST UNDERTONE
MAYBE NOT
MAYBE THE EXECS KNEW IT WOULD STIR CONTROVERSY
MAYBE NOT
MAYBE THE EXECS SHOULD BE AWARE OF AMERICAN DO'S AND DONT'S
MAYBE NOT
THE BOTTOM LINE IS PUBLICITY AND THEY SURE GOT IT.
STILL A DISTASTEFUL WAY OF DOING BUSINESS

It is time we stop seeing everything through the color lens. It is getting really ..really ridiculous. I have no doubt in my mind that Japan is amongst the top racist nations in the world. I still think this ad was interpreted out of context.

Monkeys are revered in many cultures. Just because some no good morons used it as they did in the past doesn't mean the world should stop mentioning them. As a person of color I dont find anything wrong with the ad. Monkey is their mascot for many years and they rever it.

I think its time we focus on real problems at home like stopping voilence and educating the childre

This is a matter of cultural static, not racism. If an American company did this we would all rightfully be outraged, but the monkey is a sacred animal in Japanese culture. It's entirely plausible that they did not know the American implications of the use of that animal.

This is every challenger politician in the world. They have always run on "change". Why Obama fans think this is a new thing is beyond me. It isn't enough to take offense locally. We have to scour the world to find new venues to be offended. It is not always about you! There are more people in the world than the little black vs. white drama we have created. We = all of us, including Obama.

I think the world is just waiting to see if we choose a War president or Preppy suit president. If they are not starving somewhere and could care less. Which one makes us gag less?

The monkey is the mascot of the company. It is a clever ad and nothing else. They should do one with a skeleton for McCain.

Hey Jim In S.C. - who said Obama is evading a debate? The problem is mccain thinks he can call the shots and Obama is his own man and will determine what is best for him also. Who the he– does mccain think he is anyway? I know what he is but I can't say it here.

Boo! Why did they have to pull it? Guess I'll have to search for it on youtube.

I have been and still am a strong Obama supporter (and life long Republican) but the racism thing is getting on my nerves. Today in the US you can barely say anything about anything without someone using the six degrees of seperation approach to claim racism. I am very proud of the fact that I have never, ever heard the actual presidential candidate say anything was racist against him, many times when it was obvious that is was. When people flat out attack him with distortions and false claims he never takes that opportunity to throw more mud back but instead the statements he makes are usually to say 'that was unfortunate' etc. I don't recall ever a presidential candidate having to put up with the junk Obama has such as his religion or his patriotism. I've never seen a presidential candidate smeared so much over his middle name or his family's history. It's always fear and rumor mongering blind to any rational thinking. How else can you take a middle name and somehow use that to smear Obama as anti-jewish? Or that he would meet with leaders of rougue nations which hmm seems to be what George is doing right now. It is very sad to see, because of this election, just how racist and filled with hate a great deal of Americans are still today. A black man is acceptable in our society as a sports star or a musician but God forbid we have a black man as the leader of the free world.

I envy the Japanese if they are truly in blissful ignorance of the type of racism that this ad invokes.

Perhaps, perhaps, the Japanese company really meant no offense since this is the company mascot, but come on! Can they really be that uninformed? I find it highly suspicious. The ad, intentionally or not, is very offensive.

Curious George was funny because his ears and hair cut do actually look similar to Obamas, which is directly related to his take off of Bob the Builder's motto "Yes we can!". A parity of childrens cartoons if you will.., much like the DNC.

But an ad with a real monkey is just blantant racism. And yes, the Japaneese do know what racism is. They did once concidered themselves superior after all….

Why show this mess, it is just offensive and disgraceful for CNN.

When Sen Clinton was being outspoken and displaying strength is was okay. However, Mrs. Obama is treated different. Double Standard.

Racist? Perhaps in America. But you have no idea what that means in Japan do you? Eastern Culture and Western Culture are way different and its awful ignorant to think something means the same thing across the board.

To them it may just be a loveable little monkey. To us it may be a hateful demon of repression. Or just a funny take on politics, considering all national level politicians are pretty much owned by corporate interests.

Funny ad. I liked it.

The U.S. does not have the monopoly on ignorance and poor judgement. Personally this would fit McCain better anyway, being led around by Bush's policy or there lack of policy. Bush the big top circus leader. Peanuts anyone thats what my pay check has become thanks to Bush / McCain (McCain how many years in the Senate, i'm not impressed). But at least my job hasn't gone over sea's or been eliminated as of yet.

Come on Colin don't be afraid to cross those broken party lines it's a new day, step out on the scene America is ready to hear from you make some noise ( YES WE CAN). We must all unify to save this country from the rabbit hole Bush has taken us down.

Obama / Powell 08

I don't buy their public claim of ignorance that they were "…unaware of how the ad might be interpreted." They should have been able to smell how bad it was if their common sense failed them.

I am an avid Obama supporter however I don't believe they meant any harm by this. The rest of the world does not have the racist, bigoted, ignorant views we have here in the ol USofA. The rest of the world actually is in love with Obama.

Obama - monkey see - monkey do!

I don't think it was intentional.. but how stupid do you have to be to compare a presidential candidate with a monkey even if a monkey is revered in Japan! That's common sense.

I am a republican turning Democrat and i think this was outrageous.

Sen Obama. is more populat all over the worl than McBush. We all love him!

It is time we stop seeing everything through the color lens. It is getting really ..really ridiculous. I have no doubt in my mind that Japan is amongst the top racist nations in the world. I still think this ad was interpreted out of context.

Monkeys are revered in many cultures. Just because some white trash junkies used it as they did in the past doesn't mean the world should stop mentioning them. As a person of color I dont find anything wrong with the ad. Monkey is their mascot for many years and they rever it.

I think its time we focus on real problems at home like stopping voilence and educating the children.

How long until Obama throws Pickels under the bus?

Look at an above post.

W. H. Thomas has been in Japan and states what he saw… that Japan has no idea of Racism (probably because there were a somewhat cut off society until modern times).

Don't blame everything on the GOP machine…crying wolf (not blitzer) will not help when this issue is just a mistake. Save the righteous rage when it is needed.

24 yr old male, Catholic, Republican, From Colorado (swing state +swing voter) for Obama 08

"Why does Obama continue to evade a debate with McCain?"

Because both are still just the presumptive nominee. In the 2004 elections, only 4 debates were held. Three presidential, and one vice presidential. The first was not held until September 30th. So why the sudden insistence to change things up this year before we've even had the party conventions?

No big deal, monkeys are cool

So now we expect people of other cultures to be sensitive and politically correct too? It isn't enough that we can't express our own opinions without a disclaimer, we actually have to force it on the Japanese?

This is ridiculous.

btw "their company’s mascot is a monkey – an animal revered in Japan"

It was a COMPLIMENT!

That's very stupit, now republicans are doing everything here and oversae to get to the whitehouse

Not all mentioning of monkeys and those of African descent is automatically wreaking of racial undertones/overtones..

I'm Asian Canadian and I love monkeys (from my childhood love of the Monkey King legend).. Instead of being so quick to judge, we must see why this Japanese company with a monkey as its company mascot might want to equate its monkey to Barack Obama.. Barack Obama is the world's hope that the US steps up to the plate and create positive change!

No way! Obamaniacs crying "racism"? I'm shocked!

Why are Obama supporters offended by them using a monkey?

Do they think Obama is a monkey?

I can't believe how many racist people there are still in the world. We need to evolve more.

why would anyone vote for McSame?
clearly everyone else around the world wants OBAMA!
C'mon people…this is not a difficult decision. Stop looking at race and vote for who will be the BEST choice for president!

I hate to say it, but I think the monkey is more qualifed to be president than Obama is!!! Seriously thou, why did they pull the ad? Because Obama's 'people' (the news media) came down hard on them. Why is it, you can say anything against this guy? why is the press giving him a 'free ride'? why won't they print the thruth about this guys (real) background? You can't trust a person you know nothing about. Besides…..he is just not experienced enough to handle the most important job in the free world.

JIM, BECAUSE MC CAIN WANT TOWN HALL MEETING WITH ROOM FILL WITH HIS SUPPORTERS; BESIDE I THIINK THAT THOSE TYPE OF MEETINGS CAN PUT OBAMA LIFE IN DANGER. REMEMBER: HE IS ONE OF THE MOST POPULAR PERSON IN THE WORLD RIGHT NOW

Jim in S.C. - Why are you and McCain pushing for debates this very minute? We have months before the GE with plenty of opportunity for debates. They are trying to find common ground that both candidates agree with. McCain keeps pushing the town hall meetings but also needs to consider other formats and they don't have to be right now.

Get a grip and just be patient, the debates will happen just not on YOUR schedule.

jim in SC, you cant POSSIBLY be trying to imply obama is scared to debate mccain??? that is absolutely laughable. it's gonna look like an SNL skit when those two debate!

obama doesnt work on mccain's schedule. besides john's too busy these days with his "town hall" meetings—–that he holds at private businesses, as opposed to TOWN HALLS!!! mccain's so out of touch, those big businesses ARE the "regular folks" to him

Why does Obama continue to evade a debate with McCain? Probably because he's being kind to old people. Obama standing next to McCain, looking young, vibrant and statesmanlike will sink McCain in a heartbeat. Then when McCain opens his mouth and confuses Sunni and Shia AGAIN . . . it's over.

Why does McCain still want more war, war, war?
Why doesn't McCain learn something about economics?
Why does McCain have so many lobbyists in his campaign?
Why does McCain think it would be a good thing to have another terror attack on American soil?
The list goes on and on…

Jim in S.C. July 2nd, 2008 11:44 am ET

Why does Obama continue to evade a debate with McCain?
———————————————————————————————————
Why do you post comments that have nothing to do with the topic?

Why should Obama furnish McCain with a huge crowd just because he can't draw one on his on??
The monkey ad is beyond disgusting!!

OBAMA/BIDEN '08

I cannot believe that the Japanese are that oblivious to racism
You need to research some of the pamphlets that were dropped during WWII

So, if Senator Obama becomes president, is race going to be an issue for the next 4 years? Not everything that is said or done is a racial issue…until someone MAKES it an issue. I don't think I can stand 4 years of everything being a race issue, I'm already sick of it.

I think this speaks more to the radical differences between Japanese and American cultures than it does to any sort of racism. To put it in a kind of playfully offensive and culturally biased way, they just have a weird sense of humor and I really don't think they're being racist.

Can people not read? Karl Rove had nothing to do with this. Liberals are too paranoid. Get a life.

Hey Jim in S.C,
The reason he avoids it is because he can!!! He will debate that loser when he's good and ready, maybe by then McSame will have already forgotten that there was even supposed to be a debate!!!!

McSame is gonna have to be careful of what he wishes for, this will be no push over debate for McSame. Town Hall debates should be left up to Mayors of towns and not presidential candidates!!

OBAMA 08

I hope people read the whole article before they spout off. Japan revere the monkey, so it should be construded as a compliment, at least in Japan. Here it is not. Let the race card begin..1..2..3..

The marketing director should've known better

Um, can I vote for the monkey? Primates for Change, I like it.

Karl Rove has this aired to target Americans living in Japan, including those serving in military bases over there, not to vote Obama.

Rove should be investigated for this…as should McCain…he's behind this too!

Vast Right Wing Conspiracy still at work!

Tom and Joe,

Typical Democrats. Blame everything ont he republicans, even when it has NOTHING to do with them. Bitter, table for one?

Hey Obamites! Not everything is a Carl Rove plot. This was a cultural misunderstandiing. You Democrats are supposed to be the inclusive and diverse party. Well the genger and race bashing in your primaries showed you are the 'do-as-I-say-not-as-I-do' party. You unwillingness to cut this Japanese company a break just shows how racist and intolerant you are.

so i see racist ignorance still spans the globe—LOVELY!!!!!!!!

i cant believe that there are still so many idiots in the world that think someone's skin color means ANYTHING!!! hopefully most of them are from generations that will soon be moving on to the next phase of their lives (good luck explaining THAT idiocy at your pearly gates, jesus aint gonna be happy with you folks)!!! kids are SO MUCH smarter than adults on these kinds of ignorant things!!!

"Gan says the company was unaware of how the ad might be interpreted, but “now, of course, we know.”

WOW, how on earth did someone THAT stupid become president of anything?!?!

well the point still remains that McCain would gain more by going from where Bush will leave off, where as Obama will do his best to get our troops back. People have tried their best to pursuade why McCain would be the best choice, but he is just the typical politician. Pointing out that Obama had tested drugs when he was a kid, makes me feel more connected to him as a person instead of a squeaky clean rich groomed guy.

Funny but not funny…

You liberal nut bags will be the end to us all…….
Plus it was funny, get over yourselves already

As someone who works closely with the Indians, I know monkey is as revered as a cow there. In Hindu religion cow is the symbol of mother but monkey is a symbol of their god Hanooman who rescued their god Ram. Monkey is a slur among countries who believe we humans evolved out of monkeys and therefore monkeys are primates.

Indians tell me there was a controversy when and Indian cricket player called an aboriginal Australian cricketer "Maan Ki **" which means "Your Mother's". The Australian cricketer thought he said "monkey" and mistook it with a racial slur. It was a big issue and the Indian fans were at a loss to understand why calling a common slur was taken as racist.

Say karl Rove!

Honestly I feel that this was completely innocent and unintended and the Japanese firm excercised international good will in withdrawing the ad. As much as americans would like not to believe it, US social and racial stereotypes are not universal. This is a typical case of America-centric thinking that US citizens need to drop.

Who said ads were chosen by YouTube? Or CNN, or some japanse phone co.?

Wow, that's scary. However, I'm willing to give the Japanese the benefit of the doubt…

It was very smart of Japan to take this ad down. I don't care if a monkey is the company's mascot–it's very incencitive since Barack's theme is change.

Barack H. Obama will be our next president and Japan and the rest of the world should treat him with all due respect of any head of state. PERIOD.

BY THE WAY CNN THIS IS NOT NEWS. SHAME ON YOU

Sometimes things don't translate well across country lines.

I can believe they meant well.

Contrary to popular belief, there are actually other countries in the world besides the United States. In Japan, the monkey is a revered symbol and the commercial was aimed at a Japanese market.

When we refuse to acknowledge other countries' perspectives and insist that the only way something can be viewed is how it would be viewed here in the United States, we are being "Ugly Americans" at our worst.

karl rove do you ever stop your so slimy why are you not in jail now slimball rove dont worry your days are NUMBERED!!!!

Why does Obama continue to evade a debate with McCain?

Nobody understands another place until they have been there a while, and even then one nation's racism is invisible to observers who do not match one of the groups involved.

This was not political, it was advertising; it ran afoul of cultural truths unwittingly. WHat is funny about it to me is that historically faux pas were all done by Americans, in other places. It is amusing to see one done here, by someone else.

I was furious until I read about Japan's special relationship with the monkey. This is plain culture clash. I admire Kristi Keck and Kyung La's journalism. Their reporting reveals a larger picture.

Obama is such a delicate flower! Is he going to spend the next 4 years hunting down supposed "racially charged offenses" or does he expect to make time to be president?

Are we going to see one of these articles once a week from now on out?

Japan is pretty far away, and the company has a monkey as a mascot-good thing Obama isn't green - the GEICO gecco would have to go.

I also spent 1.5 years in Japan. I've had several japanese explain the concept of a racial heirarchy to me. Racism simply isn't all that controversial in Japan. Mainly because no minority groups have a voice in their society. The effects of this are clear. Only the most overt forms of discrimination are even recognized as such. Something clearly offensive to Americans, such as likening Obama to a monkey, may actually be too subtle for them to recognize as offensive. I took the good with the bad over there. I must say they've got a looooooong way to go in understanding racial discrimination. Truth be told, we're not quite there ourselves so lets not judge, k?

Say what you want to, "William" but that monkey probably has more good sense and a more well-developed conscience than our current idiot-in-chief or McCain who changes positions on various topics like the wind or when his party tells him to… Maverick, my foot.

African Americans or perhaps I should say people of African descent in general have always had to deal with this type of crap for longer than just about any other group of people bar none.

For anyone to say that there weren't any racial undertones, is either naive, in denial or simply about as bright as a broken lightbulb.

Racists come in all colors, shapes and sizes. It's really just a shame.
Erase the hate people, it's 2008 not 1908 or 1808.

Obama 08′ and 12′

Mr Ayers ;
I will not talk about what experiences you may have however I would venture to guess that your life experience would best be found living under rocks.

are you kidding me? how can any off you possibly accuse this of being racist? clearly they were doing a stupid ad playing off of his message, and it happens that their mascot was a monkey. nobody would be freaking out if their mascot was an elephant or a tiger. get over yourselfs
OBAMA 08 12

The monkey is like their logo, they used obama's popularity and that's it. No racial thing in there unless you really want to see one. Wheter you like it or not, don t have to make it a racial issue. When Chris Rock makes fun of fat rich white people, we don't call him a racist, we laugh and ask for more. I don't start a big national campaign on the media calling him a racist because I am white and he hurt my feelings. Poor little me… If the monkey was playing the role of Bush, you might actually find it funny or you could even find some similarities between the two… But because Obama's black, that means they wanted to be racist. Give me a break.

Seems like an honest mistake to me. But of course, trying to cast Obama as any type of animal, even a company mascot, must be racism and an attempt by Japanese Big Business to ensure McCain's election, preferably sponsered by Karl Rove.

CNN, why don't you write some compare and contrast pieces on the issues with nuetral scientists and professors weighing in on the suitability of each candidate's plans? I rather enjoyed the business ones you did earlier.

Moderates 08

Obama is a millionaire. On top of that he has raised record amounts of campaign cash. He got more votes for him in the primaries than any other primary contenders in history. Polls show him popular with democrats, independents, even foreigners who hardly even heard of him. The main stream media has been giving him free air time for him to speak his talking points. They have made every effort to avoid offending him. He's gotten endorsements accross the board, from religious figures to democratic leadership, and even from several republicans.

So stop this 'I'm-the-victim-of-the-world' charade! It didn't suit Hillary and it sure doesn't suit Obama! Ever since he started his presidential campaign (heck, even going back to his Congressional campaign) he had EVERYTHING going for him. We are wasting far too much time and news space apologizing for things we never did to him!

Maybe that's how people feel about Obama subconsciously but did not know or dare to express it because of the current celebrity-worshipping public

Calm down, this is just nothing but the usual ad. Foolish CNN made this such a huge issue.

I am not sure how to take this. On the one hand I would not accuse the Japenes of being aware of any racial undertones that ad might convey. On the other hand Eric Gan does not sound like a Japanese name to me. Though I do not know where Mr. Gan hails from I will speculate that he might have more knowledge of these undertones than he is reporting. Either way this ad I would guess was being run in Japan and has no impact on voters.

I am scared of Barack Hussine Obama!

This lifelong Democratic is voting McCain.

Obama is scary, think of his church, his family, his voting record, his inability to work with others and his lack of experience. He belongs on the streets of Chicago not Pennsylvania Avenue.

People like Obama because he is cool, well this is not a popularity contest. Wake up, we shot ouselves in the foot by not putting Clinton forward.

It looks like the similar mindset of many Hillary Supporters is being portrayed in Japan. She should be proud of the 'people' who make up her base.

This is great. Somehow Karl Rove has influence in Japan. Different culture people. Different views on life. Isn't that what all this is about? And like they said, the monkey is revered in Japan. It would be like us using an eagle.

Too wonderful.

I now declare this day, free banana's before the 4th day,

Get over it… I'm a super supporter of Obama, Hope and Change… but this is ridiculous. I don't think there were any racial undertones (since it was in Japan).. Other countries interpret things differently and are unaware of sensitive issues like these. But come on… bloggers are you serious? Get a life.

People are grasping at any and everything to try to stir up some kind of drama. Let's just hear what the candidates have to say about the real issues and everyone else stfu. Goodness Gracious.

OBAMA `08!

Barack Obama would make a great President and he sure has my vote. Michelle Obama rocks!

With a multitude of critical issues facing America at this very moment I am astounded that this kind of nonsense is crowding the airwaves! If Americans and the news media continue to give play to this crap instead of talking about real issues, we will get what we deserve - a standard of living that will decline quickly, a depression and homelessness like we've never seen since the 1930's.

If the ad had appeared in the US, sure, sue the pants off of them. But I honestly can see that our own weird racial crap does not feed over to a completely different culture and society. We think we own the world and that everyone knows how things appear in the US. Crazy…

i think is funny , and humar

Even if you bought the company's argument here, they should have known that this would have been percieved negatively giving the history of the U.S. and the uniqeness of Obama's candidacy. Claiming ignorance is no defense.

In Japan maybe ok, but looking at this act from an intercontinental level, the use of a monkey denotes one thing and that is the black man.

We hope none of these ugly jokes show up again.

If a monkey can be chosen a president, it is a real change!
Haha! This is what you need.

Ignorance is global..didn't you all know that?

William Ayers Quote: "Ironically, the monkey has more executive experience and more solid stances on issues than Obama."

You are probably the creator of the ad. However it won't stop the inevitable: "YES WE WILL!"

Obama 08′

THIS IS THE BRAND WE AMERICANS IS SELLING TO OTHER COUNTRIES GIVE HOW WE DISREPECT MEMBERS OF OUR SOCIETY. THE LEVELT WHICH WE STOOP TO SELL, WIN OR GET THE LEAD.

HE SHOULD SUE THE COMPANY THAT PRODUCED THE ADD AND THE MEDIA OUTLET THAT PUBLISHED IT!!!!!!!!!!!

THIS ADD DID NOT WALK IN THE OFFICE STEP UP AND TAKE RESPONSIBILITY.

I lived in Thailand, and I would add that racial symbolism doesn't have meaning in Asian cultures. But there's no excuse for Americans who pull this.

Democrats have been calling president Bush all sorts of names from 'Shrub' to 'Chimp' and even 'anti-Christ.' That never made it in the news.
Now that it's Obama, a single misguided (and otherwise positive) reference to him is sensationalized.
Way to be consistent…

I can honestly say that in other countries monkey is not as derogatory a word. If you think about it, it is the smartest of all animals (next to human of course). My girlfriend from the Czech Republic doesn't think about that when she sees a picture of a mother and child monkey and thinks of it as a cute picture of her and our daughter. I wish we could stop seeing everything through filters.

and a couple of you are putting this on Rove

stop drinking the kool-aid

William Ayers, hilarious comment! It's funny because it's true…

It does not seem to matter who does what–if it is not praising Obama–it is racist!

I don't think it was racism. You have to look at the differences in the countries. To them it may have been honorable to us its offensive. It's just a cultural thing. We are so sensitized in America until everything is offensive to some race, culture, or religion.

Obama '08

The Japanese are just trying to show it's monkey business as usual with the Democrats.

CNN is for free speech if you are a liberal.

Your comment is awaiting moderation.

OMG - anytime anyone says anything about Obama they are a racist. How is a monkey racist?? And the Clintons were accused of playing the race card.

Give me a break.

WHY CAN'T THEY MAKE AN AD ABOUT HIROSHIMA AND NAGASAKI. STUPID PEOPLE. TO SOON TO START CRYING ABOUT FREE TRADE. BUT WE WANT TO USE OUR CARS AND BRING OUR JOB BACK HOME.

YES WE CAN

As a black man I too was offended.But in response to some these comments being posted,What does this have to do with Karl Rove….as much of a snake that he is..this doesn't relate

Oh MY!!
This is outrageous!

Al Sharpton…. where are YOU?!
I would have figured you'd have a statement out to the press by now.

Please fly to Japan immediately and conduct a full investigation!
Take your entourage. Hold a few demonstrations there.
Stay at least 8 months. Hopefully more.

I don't think it was racism motivating that ad. That sort of racism is specific to the U.S. and western colonial powers. Animals especially monkeys have an important place in the cultural and spiritual life of Japan and other Asian countries. This story is really lame.

Ha, dems blaming Rove for this too?? They must think he really has a lot of power. I guess he did steal a couple presedential elections, hahahaha! Better watch out, he might steal this from Obama too (or the monkey).

William Ayers I guess you are one of those Republicans who will vote for a monkey instead of a Democrat. God Has seen you all.

WHY does EVERYTHING said or connected to Obama have to be viewed as Racist by his campaign and followers??????
STOP with all the race stuff!

First five posts and only one rational voice! Get over yourselves people quit thinking everything is eather a Repub attack or racism the world is bigger than your ignorant mind!

Let the wacky liberal conspiracy theories begin…..

Now the republicans will be doing dirty tricks and go around other countries to bring it here. This is non news if it happened in japan!

Japanese people don't really know much about America's racial history and racial undertones.

I thought the monkey was supposed to be chimpy Bush?

Shame on you eMobile, you should not copy the idea of Obama.
You know that his die-hard sheeps deemed him as their mesiah!!!!.
BECAUSE he is the ONLY one that can copy whatever he wants.
Let's see……he copied the US presidential seal and replaced E Pluribus Unum with Vero Possumus and copied Bob the Builder theme song: Yes We Can!!!……..REMEMBER.
You're supposed not to mess with him.

Soon they will use an albino pig ads to portray John Mc Cain!!! We need to read some intresting news frow Political Ticker and not a such senseless news wich has nothing to do with the future of the American people please…

Japan is extremely xenophobic and insular. they are so racist they don't even know it.

Republicans have no money. Have nothing to run on and they are not in line with American people. When their brand is all damaged then they can try and ruin others because Obama has more money, message that resonates and is a charismatic candidate that communicate effectively like Ron Reagan.
Karl Rove should be confronted. Now he is going around Japan to bring this kind of nonsense!

Japan is trying to capitalize on the Obamania to looks like !!!

Gan says the company was unaware of how the ad might be interpreted, but “now, of course, we know.”

Someone in an executive position such as that should have known better! Rude and Ignorant to say the least!

Gave me a laugh,,,,,,,,,,,,but it's rude. Glad they pulled the ad off.

Obama/Hillary 08

Oh no they didn't!!! Not the cute little Japanese people. They wouldn't do anything like that. They would not call a Black person a monkey, would they? YES THEY WOULD.

it would be funny if it was any other animal. I am sure they didn't know any better. If we went to japan I am sure that we would not understand all of the customs that they fallow every day.

Ya, right, the next ad will be in canada or Britain and we can bring it here. Why is this news if it is not in u.s? Talk of Karl Rove new tactics emerge!

WOW!!!!!

Who cares, it is just a commercial.

Well at least some people are standing up for something….can't say the same for McBush.

WELL SINCE CNN WON'T PUBLISH THEIR BACKERS THEN HOW ABOUT THE PEOPLE! HERE ARE THE COMPANIES THAT ARE SHAREHOLDERS IN THIS COMPANY!!! CAN YOU RECOGNIZE ANY AMERICAN COMPANIES HERE???

eAccess Ltd.
The Goldman Sachs Group - HUMMMM
Temasek
Tokyo Broadcasting System, Inc. (TBS)
Woodperker Group
New World TMT Limited
Mitsui & Co., Ltd.

Karl Rove and republicans must be stooping a new low!

Maybe they should do an ad about Pearl Harbor? Just rude and stupid ad. Obama should sue them.

Believe me they knew that their were racial undertones they just didnt
care or was trying to make a startment. Either way I dont like it.

Karl Rove nonsense is baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaack!

After spending 1.5 years in Japan, I can honestly say as an African American, that Japanese citizens know very little about racism. It is good to know that Obama is popular in Japan.

Ironically, the monkey has more executive experience and more solid stances on issues than Obama.

Let me tell you all something. All these countries who don't like us want Obama to win. Who do you think the Palestinians want, Ajkmadenijad, Germany wants, etc, etc,. Voters, you better think about this. Countries who want a weak, docile America, want Obama to win. You have been warned. And, I doubt this gets published.

there was a racist view implied in the ad. Gan gave a stupid explanation.

No worries Japan. We know you love Obama. When he starts travelling, you'll get the pleasure of meeting him personally as so many Americans have.

The white people are trying to spread their racist view and life to the world now, America was not enough for them.

Racism not only exist in the great of USA, it exists across the world!!

Why on earth is CNN covering this? I have lost all respect for this news channel

Unnecessary overreaction.

This must be the works of republicans. Who knows if it is in japan!

Having been overseas with the military, I can tell you that they really don't have any idea about race relations in the western world today. They do know stereo types and often accept them as fact; but I digress, put into context this add was not offensive in a sense that it was their intent to be offensive. It can be offensive when put into the context of Western world. That only shows how different our cultures.

This shows the imkportance of diversification in the workplace, regardless of where the workplace may be. If someone of African-American ancestry had seen this idea or commercial somewhere along the line, they would have been able to quickly tell them how racist this ad would appear to the majority of people. To say that it was a take off of Barack only makes the matter worse given some of the historical issues between Japan and African-Amricans dating back to World War II.

Of all the people to call someone a monkey- JAPS! Come on- Japs look within and then reconsider who's not only the real monkeys heres but eat them and any and everything else! The worse always try to find the worse in someone or something else. Sit down and shut up you have enough to deal with.

HAHA, I would vote for the monkey first. He probably has more credentials.

the japanese regard for a monkey does not carry the same racist undertones as in america; different culture.

interresting that they would use obama as a message for change, even in changing carriers. to quote:

"ad was just a nod at Obama’s worldwide popularity"

see that people, worldwide popularity. the world collectively knows obama is the better choice by a landslide. america will be a joke if we elect mccain for bush's third term.

He is the "Change" Monkey!

And it is no Joke when you are actually expected to vote for him!

McCain 08

IDIOTS…!

I'm black and have no problem with the add. We can't expect the world to be knowledgeable on every distasteful and disgusting racial insult within the U.S.

If the add was done by a U.S. company, then I would have a huge problem with it.

haha priceless…

Well the better do because i was in japan in april the way there own racism is that some of are racism but the dont know it because there is not enough minority in that country.

This is an outrage! I am sure the Hillary or McCain camps have somthing to do with this. Get on board you bunch of racist!!!!! Obama will win wheather you like it or not, so start geting used to respecting him!!!!!!!

What a stupid ad. shame on you Japan!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ok…what planet is Eric from. I dont buy for one second that Eric didn't know that using a monkey to represent a black person would draw fire.

It sounds like a genuine mistake. I don't think that they had any ill intentions especially given the fact that their mascot is a monkey. Americans are overly sensitive about race and we need to be cognizant that not every culture has shared our historical experience. We have bigger fish to fry so people need to get over it an move on.

time and again, we see people making stupid calculation with regard to their racist tone thinking that it is going to slip people mind only to find themselves to be wrong. this is nothing but racism. even if that was not the case then they should have thought about as this is a real issue to this day. so long story short, i don't buy this kind of excuse.

Non-event. The differences in culture make something small in one culture, like a thumbs-up sign, a huge insult in another culture. Hardly a blip on the radar.

Take it off, Japan. Tha't not fun.

RACIST AT ITS WORSE

Somebody call the Whaaaaaambulance. Hate to break it to you oh great race baiter Obama, but most people don't care about race anymore, not to mention the fact that your not even black. You are half white, half african-muslim. Black is a term used in America to denote african-americans descended from slaves. You were born to and raised by a white mother. Your father simply happens to be a Kenyan.

I'm actually not surprised. As an Asian-American, I have witnessed how the culture is not shy at all about expressing its racist beliefs.

Shame on whoever created this ad…(and whoever this "Gan" dude is)Not only are you putting yourself down, but you are putting the rest of the Asian-Americans down who do not share this type of narrow-minded and disrespectful type of behavior.

Believe me, there is plenty of rascism in Japan. For them to not realize the negative conotation this ad would produce is a farce.

That ad was ABSOLUTELY out of place.

Junior
BARBADOS/CARIBBEAN

I'm an African American and I don't think it was their intention to offend anyone. Now looking back, they probably thought it was in bad taste.

I think something was lost in the translation… obviously they didn't intend to have a racial undertone to it. Accidents happen.

Sorry……I think this is hillarious!!!

Obama/Lancelot Link

So what? For years democrats have likened Bush to monkeys and apes, even refering to him as 'Chimp.' Why is that any less offensive than this?

How digusting , times haven't change at all, It 's amazon how many dummies we still have in the world.

I'm not on the Obama bandwaggone yet, but this is TERRIBLE!

Big mistake eMobile, because monkeys are not revered is America, and your company is doomed to go down because of this.

Also, stay out of our country's matters if this is the kind of nonsense you have to offer!

Americans Unite 2008!

Hit them in the pockets Japan!!! Then they will know how this was interpreted! Totally uncalled for! I would love to see their other commercials to see how their company mascot is portrayed in other instances!!! Go to work now CNN.

And the ugly head of racism persists. Why are some human beings so stupid? I guess if i had an answer i would be a rich man.

Japanese media is notoriously racist towards people of African descent and darker South Asisans. The "SAMBO" image is still used today in Japansese newspaper cartoons, manga, video games, anime and public service announcements.

Oops! Bad idea! Someone is losing a job in the marketing department.

Only caucausian countries are racist. Leave the Asians alone… Americans just need to shut up.

Appauling!

DISGUSTING - in so many ways!

Obama 08′

Working and operating in a global society means learning about what is acceptable/not acceptable to others.

WOW! HOW STUPID!

No one should really believe that a reputable company like eMobile would purposefully use racial undertones. As a black man, I knew this was not an intended to be racist. As a marketer, and one who has worked in Japan where the requirements for high standards are high, I would've re-evaluated the position of the author of this ad.

Simple marketing/advertising rule - as much as possible, avoid using imagery or language that's likely to be offensive in another language or culture.

This makes western culture look incredibly stupid. Just goes to show how ridiculous our history of racism looks to other cultures. Cut the Japanese a break.

why the heck is that racist??? everything that is kind of against Obama or people making jokes about him are racists. where is this county heading????

Rob from NC

I really don't think they intended any disrespect. Just a cultural difference at play. I think it is a testament to Obama's popularity around the world.

Culturally speaking, the Japanese are racially biased. However, the real problem is that every culture has some things that have different meanings. For example, a rat in America is not very respected but in Chinese astrology it is a highly regarded sign and in some parts of India it is worshiped. Racial bias and culturally relative differences do not mix. Ads that make sense in America do not necessarily make sense in Europe or Africa or Asia. And what is not offensive in a society with less than 1% blacks might be taken the wrong way in a society that has over 25% blacks in a population.

bailey,
NC

Let's just leave this one alone.

How can some Japanese be so stupid?

This is really outragous.That phone company and the people behind this are totally idiots. OBAMA 08

CNN really know how to get the racial divide juices going. Anything for ratings. Just wait they will be an expert/idiot panel to discuss this later. CNN/FOXNews the lines are becoming less clear.

OMG - anytime anyone says anything about Obama they are a racist. And the Clintons were accused of playing the race card.

Give me a break.

Okay? Can't touch this one. Never been to Japan, so don't know how the Japanese people work. Can anyone tell me?

"Gan says the company was unaware of how the ad might be interpreted, but “now, of course, we know.”

This idiot needs to be fired post-haste!!! What century is he living in???

I really don't completely trust a poll. I believe that most intelligent people view Michelle Obama very favorably. In this day and age, we don't need a June Cleaver, but rather a Michelle Obama - intelligent, attractive, articulate, capable of holding a conversation with her own opinions and not just a "yes" wife. Hurray for First Lady Michelle O!

I knew this was coming. The ultra left proclaim even the vaguest slant on Obama to be a hateful racist attack. And from the Japanese no less!!!

Why wasn't it considered racist when the "Curious George" photos and documents, blog posts, were going around about George Bush a.k.a. "monkey boy".

At least conservative fight for fairness, equity, freedom, and liberty for all Americans–not just those of color or presumed social insignifiance.

Obama certainly has the ears…and his agenda–well read for yourself.

This is just a first taste of what's to come if That Man should be elected. EVERYTHING will be racist and forced from the public (Probably by some new/change law).

I'm an Obama supporter, but can we please have some "nonsense" news articles on McCain as well?

Maybe all those bitter Clinton supporters should move to Japan after Barack is elected President.

I'm glad they pulled it. It was in poor taste and disg