Lululemon apologises amid Japanese drum row at Great Wall yoga event

Lululemon has issued an apology after a promotional yoga event on the Great Wall of China sparked backlash for using a Japanese taiko drum. Chinese social media users criticized the choice as culturally insensitive and inappropriate.
Why it matters
The incident underscores the risks global brands face regarding cultural sensitivity and the power of social media-driven public opinion in the Chinese market.
Athleisure brand Lululemon join a tai chi-yoga session at the Huanghuacheng Lakeside Great Wall. Photograph: China News Service/Getty Images View image in fullscreen Athleisure brand Lululemon join a tai chi-yoga session at the Huanghuacheng Lakeside Great Wall. Photograph: China News Service/Getty Images Marketing & PR Lululemon apologises after Japanese drum row at Great Wall yoga event Online uproar in China follows Canadian brand’s use of taiko drum at sponsored festival held to celebrate Chinese culture
The article objectively reports on the controversy and the company's subsequent apology.
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