Kawaii culture hurts Japanese women in business

Baby animals are cute but female adults, especially in the workplace, need not be

Avatar
20200714 Hello Kitty plushie.jpg

Hello Kitty embodies the Japanese concept of kawaii. © NurPhoto/Getty Images

Nobuko Kobayashi is Ernst & Young -- Japan -- transaction advisory services managing director and partner.

Last year on November 1, Hello Kitty turned 45. Being squarely middle-aged does not bother the snow-white cartoon kitten, whose contribution to Sanrio, the company which designs her, ranges from theme parks to international licensing business.

Sponsored Content

About Sponsored ContentThis content was commissioned by Nikkei's Global Business Bureau.