An interesting report from Fuji TV news about a Japanese company selling talking globes that declared Taiwan to be a territory of the People’s Republic of China:

As demonstrated in the video, Gakken Toys’ Smart Globe labels Taiwan as “Taiwan Island,” and its talking feature tells users that Taiwan is part of the People’s Republic of China, with its national capital in Beijing. After receiving many complaints from consumers, Gakken Toys issued a recall of the globes, offering full reimbursements to those who bought them.

Pink Tentacle has a very good article about the recall, bringing up some interesting issues:

Gakken had originally intended to use the standard labeling for Taiwan (as per the Ministry of Education’s specifications), but the Chinese factory based in Shenzhen apparently refused to produce the globes unless Gakken agreed to label Taiwan as part of China. Gakken agreed to the factory’s demands.

The company sold out their entire first shipment of 10,000 Smart Globes, which were released in Japan last August, but customer complaints flooded in, prompting a recall.

Interestingly, a note included in the box along with each Smart Globe explained that Taiwan’s name and data had been changed at the factory based on instructions from the Chinese government. However, at a January 10 press conference to announce the recall, Gakken said that they did not receive direct instructions to make the changes, and that they are investigating why the changes were made.

Takara Toys, another company that sold Made-in-China “Taiwan Island” electronic globes, has recalled its products. It looks like both companies will have to find a new country with cheap labor and the ability to manufacture their products (preferably one that won’t require alterations of globes).