SK-II skincare sales hurt by anti-Japan sentiment in China - BBC News

Consumers shunned the skincare brand after Tokyo released treated water from Fukushima nuclear plant.

11 hours agoShareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingImage source, Getty ImagesBy Mariko OiBusiness reporterProcter & Gamble has said sales of high-end SK-II skincare brand fell 34% between October and December.

In addition to China's slow recovery, the firm's executives blamed anti-Japanese sentiment.

Last year, Japan started releasing treated radioactive water from its Fukushima nuclear power plant which was hit by a huge tsunami in 2011.

China opposed the move and banned all seafood imports from Japan, despite the UN's assurance of its safety.

Scientists also largely agree that the environmental impact of the treated water will be negligible but as disinformation fuelled fear and suspicion in China, consumers boycotted Japanese brands, including P&G's SK-II.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-68077984?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=KARANGA

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