The Chinese Communist Party’s propaganda outlet Global Times recently reported that Japanese clothing giant Uniqlo and China’s Li-Ning have removed all Pokémon merchandise from their online and physical stores in China after controversy erupted over a Pokémon-related event linked to Tokyo’s Yasukuni Shrine.
The state-run newspaper celebrated the move, saying its reporters verified that Pokémon-branded products disappeared from Uniqlo’s official app, JD.com, and Taobao storefronts. The paper also claimed that major Uniqlo retail locations across China confirmed the removal. The Global Times described the withdrawal as nationwide. Li-Ning reportedly said it would suspend sales of Pokémon products indefinitely. Neither company gave an official reason, though state media coverage heavily implied the decision was retaliation for the Yasukuni Shrine connection.
Yasukuni Shrine is a Shinto site that honors about 2.5 million Japanese war dead, including 14 classified war criminals from World War II. The shrine remains a flashpoint for nationalist tensions. Both Beijing and Seoul condemn visits there as glorifying Japan’s wartime past. Still, prominent Japanese leaders such as Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae have maintained ties with the shrine, often sending offerings or attending ceremonies.
The uproar began when Chinese internet users spotted a listing for a Pokémon Trading Card Game meet-up at Yasukuni Shrine on the official Pokémon website. The event was not corporate-sponsored, and Pokémon quickly deleted the post and apologized. “We sincerely apologize for the mixed reactions and opinions,” the company stated. It said it would tighten internal procedures to prevent future incidents.
That apology did little to calm Beijing’s outrage network. The People’s Daily, the Communist Party’s main mouthpiece, accused Pokémon of failing to “uphold correct values” and urged “respect for the feelings and customs” of Chinese citizens. Around the same time, another state outlet, China Daily, published a cartoon portraying Pikachu buried beneath a cliff while surrounded by ghostly figures and an Imperial Japanese soldier. “Mess with historical red lines and you lose more than just fans,” the image read.
Chinese media also revived older grievances, including 2019 photos showing employees from Pokémon affiliate Creatures, Inc. visiting the shrine. The pictures were deleted after backlash in China and South Korea. Analysts note that Beijing often turns such controversies into loyalty tests for foreign corporations. Past targets include Dolce & Gabbana, Swatch, and several hotel chains pressured into treating Taiwan and Hong Kong as Chinese territory.
Uniqlo, one of China’s largest foreign retailers, has faced scrutiny over alleged use of cotton from the Uyghur region, accusations the company denies. Li-Ning maintains high-profile partnerships with NBA players and has aligned itself closely with government messaging. The swift disappearance of Pokémon products from both brands adds to a growing pattern of companies accommodating Chinese state sensitivities.
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