Visitors to Japan are often surprised to see the kind of cigarette advertising that has long been outlawed in most countries. Ads at sporting events, in particular, seem especially out of place.
At volleyball matches, which are a big deal in Japan, many of the fans are screaming teenage girls, but one tobacco company's ads are as ubiquitous as the cute mascots, inflatable clappers and TV cameras that broadcast Japan's games in prime time.
Though Japan has won nothing on the world stage since 1976, but finished fourth in women's and 10th in men's events this year, it has hosted the World Cup of Volleyball every four years since 1977, thanks in part to funding from sponsors such as Japan Tobacco.
Arenas are packed for Japan's games, but empty -- sometimes fewer than 100 fans -- for higher-ranked teams from the United States, Italy, Brazil, Russia, China and elsewhere. (CNN)
Visitors to Japan are often surprised to see the kind of cigarette advertising that has long been outlawed in most countries. Ads at sporting events, in particular, seem especially out of place.
At volleyball matches, which are a big deal in Japan, many of the fans are screaming teenage girls, but one tobacco company's ads are as ubiquitous as the cute mascots, inflatable clappers and TV cameras that broadcast Japan's games in prime time.
Though Japan has won nothing on the world stage since 1976, but finished fourth in women's and 10th in men's events this year, it has hosted the World Cup of Volleyball every four years since 1977, thanks in part to funding from sponsors such as Japan Tobacco.
Arenas are packed for Japan's games, but empty -- sometimes fewer than 100 fans -- for higher-ranked teams from the United States, Italy, Brazil, Russia, China and elsewhere. (CNN)