TOKYO (AFP) – Commercials for a intercourse toy firm plastered over the ice at qualifiers for the Beijing Olympics’ curling competitors have prompted Japan’s nationwide broadcaster to tug matches off the air.
NHK had deliberate to point out all the Japanese mixed-doubles crew’s matches on the qualifying event in Leeuwarden, within the Netherlands.
However a pink on-ice commercial for Dutch intercourse toy firm EasyToys prompted a hasty rethink, with NHK pulling the plug on Japan’s opener in opposition to america on Sunday (Dec 5).
Broadcasts of subsequent matches, together with in opposition to Latvia and Estonia, had been additionally scrapped, together with Tuesday’s scheduled conflict with New Zealand.
NHK advised AFP that the choice was taken to permit time to find out whether or not airing EasyToys’ emblem violated its broadcasting pointers.
“The rules name for warning over content material that may affect minors and there was a danger that it contravened good style,” stated an NHK spokesman.
NHK stated it had but to resolve whether or not it might air Japan’s closing round-robin sport, in opposition to Finland on Wednesday.
It stated it was “reaching out to the World Curling Federation to realize a scenario the place we are able to broadcast as quickly as attainable”.
Japan have received one and misplaced three of their matches up to now.