Last Updated: 2012.09.18
Regarding a Sign Posted at a UNIQLO Shanghai Store, in Reference to the Senkaku Islands
FAST RETAILING CO., LTD.
UNIQLO CO., LTD
to Japanese page
A photograph showing a sign in Chinese that read 'the Senkaku Islands belong to China,' attached to the display window at one of UNIQLO's stores in Shanghai, was recently posted on the Internet.
Upon conducting an internal investigation, it has come to our attention that on the afternoon of September 15th, a local employee at the said store posted the sign at the individual's own discretion. The sign was taken down approximately 40 minutes later. This incident did not take place under company instruction, nor has a similar incident taken place at any of our other stores.
Both Fast Retailing and UNIQLO believe that a company shall not take any political stance or voice their opinion regarding diplomatic disputes, and deeply regret that such an incident has taken place. Going forward, we will strictly ensure that a similar type of incident does not take place again.
The impact on UNIQLO's Chinese operations brought on by this diplomatic dispute continues to spread. As of September 18, we have closed 42 stores in China and instructed all Japanese employees, totaling over 200 individuals, to stay at home. As of now there have been no reports of damage to store facilities or products, or personal injury to employees and their families.
We will continue to closely monitor the situation in China and will report on any material developments as necessary.