Japanese video game giant Nintendo has "insulted" Hong Kong fans by neglecting their plea to retain the more familiar Chinese names of characters in the comic Pokemon, activists and fans said.
Petitioning at the Japanese Consulate General earlier this week, about 20 people led by radical political group Civic Passion and fans of the cartoon featuring super-powered creatures sought to have the Japanese government step in and press for more respect of local culture by Japanese firms.
"The Chinese names resonating with Cantonese pronunciation have been in use for some 20 years and fully reflected Hong Kong's culture," Sing Leung of the group said. "Nintendo has now become an accomplice to the political agenda of 'promote Putonghua, eradicate Cantonese.' "