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Mickey and Minnie Mouse clad in traditional Japanese kimonos greet visitors during a New Year celebration at Tokyo Disneyland. Associated Press
merry unbirthday

Disney apologises for 'insensitive' Nagasaki anniversary tweet

It said the company’s Twitter account will be managed better in future.

WALT DISNEY JAPAN has apologised after a tweet sent from its corporate Twitter account wished readers “congratulations on a not special day” on the 70th anniversary of the U.S. atomic bombing of Nagasaki.

The company offered “deep apologies for causing discomfort”, saying it would take care to manage the Twitter account more carefully.

In English, the tweet sent Sunday conveyed “A very merry unbirthday to you!” from a song in the Disney film Alice in Wonderland.

The Japanese translation described the day as “not special”, prompting sharp criticism from readers who questioned the timing of the tweet. “Why are you offering congratulations, Disney-san?” said one.

Japan holds solemn ceremonies each year to mourn the more than 74,000 people killed in the bombing of Nagasaki on August 9, 1945, three days after the first atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima.

Japan surrendered on six days later, ending World War II.

Read: The European Union has a bone to pick with Disneyland >

More: The amazing story of the Irish nun who survived Hiroshima >

Author
Associated Foreign Press
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