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Ghibli Removes Goods from PR Facility of Nuclear Plant
posted on by Gia Manry
Studio Ghibli posted an August 18 blog entry in which the company expressed regret for its 2005 decision to grant a character goods license to the Donguri Kyōwakoku ("Acorn Republic") store inside the Energy Building, the public relations facility for the Second Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant. Ghibli pushed for the removal the store and apologized for the matter.
The post notes that Ghibli has received multiple emails and telephone calls about the sale of its products near a nuclear plant. The complaints also came via Twitter, when a photographer commented on a blog post with photos from the Donguri Kyōwakoku store. The store carried products from several Ghibli works, including My Neighbor Totoro and Kiki's Delivery Service.
The Donguri Kyōwakoku store is one of several throughout Japan; the others carry Studio Ghibli goods as well. The store responded to the matter as well, noting that the company itself is not at fault, and that future actions will be carefully considered, including the store's location.
Studio Ghibli films, particularly the works of co-founder Hayao Miyazaki, have been noted for their environmentalism, a subject discussed by Miyazaki himself and by producer Toshio Suzuki, among others. Miyazaki also recently spoke about the possibility of creating a sequel to his 1992 film Porco Rosso.
Via Kyodo News
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