Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Hot on Facebook
Think You're Pretty Hot? You're Probably Wrong Study finds we have inflated vision of ourselves »

Japanese Retailer Agrees to Pull Nazi Costume

'Heil Hitler' dress up not funny to Jewish group

By Nick McMaster,  Newser Staff

Posted Dec 7, 2010 2:36 PM CST

(Newser) – A Japanese costume store has agreed to remove a faux Nazi uniform after complaints from a major Jewish group, the AP reports. At Don Quijote, which has outlets in several Japanese cities, $60 could get you black jacket with swastika armband, sold in a package that said "Heil Hitler" in Japanese. The costume ran afoul of the Simon Wiesenthal Center, which complained to Quijote.

"This was meant purely as a joke, as something that would easily be recognizable," a Quijote spokesman said. "If we have complaints will certainly stop sales."

A Nazi costume is displayed for sale at retailer Don Quijote Co. in Tokyo, Tuesday, Dec. 7, 2010.
A Nazi costume is displayed for sale at retailer Don Quijote Co. in Tokyo, Tuesday, Dec. 7, 2010.   (AP Photo/Koji Sasahara)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
My TakeCLICK BELOW TO VOTE
68%
0%
7%
1%
7%
17%
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 9 comments
Colonel_Sanders
Dec 8, 2010 12:42 PM CST
words and symbols only have as much power as we choose to give them.
flame821
Dec 8, 2010 12:11 PM CST
Okay, at the risk of sounding like a weaboo; Japan has a LOT of manga and anime built around the Nazi-era for many different reasons. VERY FEW even reference the Holocaust (not sure if that should be capitalized or not, sorry). Most of it is centered around the actual war and ensuing battles. Also remember that Japan was bombed to Hell during the war and wasn't particularly concerned with what was happening to foreigners half a world away. As much as I hate to say it, I agree with several of the commentors here regarding growing thicker skin and not expecting everyone else to bow to your particular history (or religion, or nationality or anything else), we live in a small world, learn to share it. This was not a case of anyone denying or celebrating the Holocaust, it was an easily recognized costume that originated half a world away and taken out of its context. Wonder how many geisha girls, ninja and samurai we see at Halloween and what Asia thinks of that?
Naked_Emperor
Dec 8, 2010 10:53 AM CST
Did the "internment camp" costumes sell out?
 

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Timelines   |   POPSUGAR Tech   |   Business Insider   |   HuffPost Entertainment   |   NewsOne