TOKYO -- Weak spending by visitors to Japan and the growing profile of Disney characters have eaten into Sanrio's profits, dealing a huge blow to its beloved character Hello Kitty.

A Chinese tourist holds a Hello Kitty rolling bag as he boards a bus in the Akihabara shopping district in Tokyo on Oct. 4.
TOKYO -- Weak spending by visitors to Japan and the growing profile of Disney characters have eaten into Sanrio's profits, dealing a huge blow to its beloved character Hello Kitty.