Taiwan's 'porn star' transport cards sell out in hours
It is not often that transport cards cause an outcry. But then not all transport cards have porn stars printed on them.
Last week in Taiwan it was announced that an exclusive set of travel cards would feature Japanese porn star Yui Hatano's picture.
Known as EasyCards, the limited edition Angel and Demon series feature Hatano in white and black lingerie.
According to China Post, Taipei mayor Ko Wen-je initially responded to the outrage by allowing the cards to be sold. He said it was up to EasyCard chairman, Tai Chi-chuan to decide on the covers for the limited edition.
This week, he has reversed his position. The mayor had been reminded that because the city is a major shareholder of EasyCard, it was indeed the mayor's role to decide the cards' fate.
On Tuesday (Sept 1), he retracted his earlier decision.
He said that it was wrong to sell "private things" in the "public realm".
"If you want to buy tapes and bring them home to watch, that is your own call. But it is not right for (EasyCard) to do this, so this situation was wrong," Ko said.
Ko said that he regretted not having made his position clearer, citing that he had limited knowledge on "such matters".
After a meeting with his deputy mayors, city council members and Mr Tai early this week, Mr Ko told Mr Tai that the decision to print the cards "was wrong and that the cards should not be printed and future actions like this must not be made".
As a result of Mr Ko's intervention, the sales of this EasyCard was limited to 30,000 and orders could only be made over the phone.
That did not curb the desire for the cards..
The EasyCard featuring Hatano went on sale at midnight priced at TWD$500 ($22).
All 30,000 cards were sold out by 4.18am.
EasyCard apologised on their website: "We apologise for the huge public controversy we have caused."
Source: China Post, Reuters
Related reports: Taipei mayor changes his mind: No Japanese porn star on transport cards
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