Japanese Communications Ad Misses the Mark

Okay, this ad was developed by a Japanese company and, as a proud Canadian Shiba owner, I have to register my disapprobation. Obviously the breeds’ origins are supposed to form the basis for the message.  The Shiba is undisputably a Japanese breed.  Unfortunately, the Labrador Retriever is a breed originating in Canada.  That’s why it’s called the Labrador Retriever!

Canada is not that small strip at the top of the U.S. map, okay?  We have our very own legal system!  We have a border between Canada and America.  And we have at least 5 breeds acknowledged to have originated here:

  • Newfoundland
  • Tahltan Bear Dog
  • Canadian Inuit Dog
  • Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever
  • Labrador Retriever

This is Labrador.  In Canada.

Now, if you want to get really specific about the development of the modern Labrador, you still wouldn’t head to the U.S. for it.  The St. John’s Dog (or Lesser Newfoundland) was brought to England in the early 1800s where a number of fanciers developed it into the breed we know today.

The webpage where I found the ad states:

Communications…
Are we truly aware of its importance?
This is the theme that has driven us to develop this advertising.

In the various issues that Japan is facing; in diplomacy, politics, economy, and in the brutal incidents that seem to be occurring lately, it just may be, that communication is playing a vital role.
Because we live in such a day and age, we felt it is important to reconsider, what lies between simply “saying” and “conveying”.
If one has consideration for the other, then there is the urge to make sure that one’s intentions are also well-communicated. And if everyone can think this way, positive energy should continue to emerge from conversations or dialogs.
We strongly believe, that the power of communication, is what makes the world a brighter, better place to live.

The funny thing is that this ad was produced by a communications company.

Thanks to Carina for posting this on Facebook so I could go all patriotically snarky on it.

15 Comments

  1. Thanks for this post. I saw the double-page ad in the New York Times last week, and was completely mystified. It looks just like your clip, with no more info, and is an expensive way to confuse people. The web page at least shows some intent. Maybe “North American dog” would address your point. It would allow chihuahuas too.

  2. Hehe… maybe they meant American like… continental American.

    But you’re right that it’s probably just ignorance on their part.

  3. While I do understand you, and agree it is a communications issue, might it be that to the Japanese, North America, which Canada and Mexico are part of, constitutes America to

  4. I'm with James. When I lived in Europe, referring to yourself as American could mean you were from the US or Canada. You had to say you were from "the States" to convey a co

  5. @James: That argument has merit, but only if I can claim that 'Japan' really means Japan, China and Korea!

  6. @James: That argument has merit, but only if I can claim that 'Japan' really means Japan, China and

  7. While I do understand you, and agree it is a communications issue, might it be that to the Japanese, North America, which Canada and Mexico are part of, constitutes America to them?

  8. I'm with James. When I lived in Europe, referring to yourself as American could mean you were from the US or Canada. You had to say you were from "the States" to convey a country.

  9. Ahhh, you mean calling someone Asian, right? Does Asian mean Chinese, Japanese, or Korea

  10. @James: That argument has merit, but only if I can claim that 'Japan' really means Japan, China and Korea!

  11. Ahhh, you mean calling someone Asian, right? Does Asian mean Chinese, Japanese, or Korean? ;-p

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