Needless provocation? Japanese blockbuster hit Vivant portrays China as sadistic villain

A cross-border storm breaks out as a fictional espionage drama collides with real-world geopolitics, touching off Chinese sensitivities. TOKYO – The Nov 1 episode of Japanese blockbuster TV drama Vivant opened with an unconventional disclaimer, an attempt to defuse a controversy over the production’s portrayal of Chinese government agents as ruthless, sadistic torturers. “We have [...]