As illustrated in this photo, there is a growing backlash against the rising tide of Hello Kitty influence. Pictured are Japanese protesting against the "enforcement of a Hello Kitty lifestyle". The Japanese press, however, was unusually quiet on the issue and the government denied any protest ever took place. Korean Foreign Ministry spokesmen have referred to a rising "Greater East Asia Co-Kitty Sphere" and Chinese government officials have launched a drive to "Elevate Mao thought and squelch Hello Kitty reactionaries". A right-wing American group recently commented, "Them Japs are trying to take us over and destroy our way of life. Hello Kitty is floridating the water supply!". Not everyone blames the Japanese; Al-Qaeda pamphlets refer to Hello Kitty as a "Zionist icon". In Taiwan, a prominent pundit and commentor on local affairs recently referred to Hello Kitty as "Satan" in the Taiwan News. Should we be worried?