Lululemon has apologized after a promotional yoga festival on the Great Wall of China apparently featured a Japanese taiko drum instead of a Chinese dagu drum. The event, held at the end of May on a section of the wall near Beijing, drew more than 2,000 participants and was promoted by the company as an effort to support Chinese culture and health, according to China’s state-run Global Times.
The controversy escalated after Chinese actor Zhu Yilong posted a photo on Weibo showing himself beside the drum with the company logo. Social media users quickly identified the instrument as Japanese, not Chinese, and accused the company of insulting China. Within days, the post had more than 50 million views, and Zhu’s management studio urged Lululemon to respond.
The backlash was not limited to a dispute over instruments. Many users said using a drum associated with Japanese wartime militarism at one of China’s most symbolic national sites was a direct affront to Chinese identity, and some linked it to Japanese imperialism and World War II war crimes. One prominent post said that at such a symbolically important site as the Great Wall, every detail must withstand scrutiny.
On Tuesday, Lululemon said the event had been intended to “honor Chinese culture,” but admitted that “due to limitations in our professional knowledge, we failed to identify the potential controversy.” The company said it should have been more careful during planning and review, pledged to “draw deep lessons,” and promised a stricter approach in future events. It has removed all related content from its website and social media, and the drum troupe also issued an apology.
