Group 1 - Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's political career is in jeopardy following significant losses in the recent Senate elections, leading to speculation about his potential resignation [1][2] - The ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) is facing a deep-rooted "brand crisis," as many voters perceive it as an outdated party dominated by older men [3][4] - The upcoming trade negotiations with the Trump administration are seen as a critical opportunity for Ishiba to secure his position, particularly regarding tariffs on Japanese automotive exports [2][3] Group 2 - The election results indicate a shift in voter sentiment, with younger voters gravitating towards smaller parties that promise practical income solutions, while dissatisfaction with the current government's handling of inflation is prevalent [4][5] - Potential successors to Ishiba are being discussed, with a focus on younger political figures who can attract right-wing voters and rebuild the party's image [5] - Analysts suggest that the LDP needs a brand overhaul, with figures like former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's son, Shinjiro Koizumi, being considered as a candidate for revitalizing the party's appeal [5]

Core Viewpoint - The recent controversy surrounding the brand "Zhubon" highlights significant issues related to product claims, ingredient transparency, and regulatory compliance in the cosmetics industry, particularly in the context of live-stream marketing by founders [1][6][19]. Group 1: Brand Controversy - A consumer complaint was filed against Zhubon, alleging ingredient fraud, regulatory violations, and false efficacy claims, which prompted investigations by various regulatory bodies [1][6]. - The founder's live-stream promotion of products with unverified medical claims exacerbated the situation, leading to immediate product removals from e-commerce platforms [6][10][19]. - The discrepancies between product claims and actual ingredient listings raised consumer trust issues, particularly regarding the misrepresentation of "墨红玫瑰" (Mokhong Rose) [6][10]. Group 2: Regulatory and Compliance Issues - The brand's failure to properly register ingredients and the use of misleading terminology in marketing have exposed gaps in the regulatory framework governing cosmetics [10][19]. - The founder acknowledged the lack of compliance awareness during live-stream promotions, indicating a need for stricter oversight and adherence to regulations [16][19]. - The brand's commitment to rectify these issues includes a comprehensive review of ingredient registrations and the establishment of a long-term supervision mechanism [18][19]. Group 3: Brand Growth and Marketing Strategy - Zhubon experienced rapid growth after successful collaborations with influencers, particularly in live-streaming, which significantly boosted sales [11][13]. - The brand's marketing strategy has shifted towards leveraging the founder's personal brand, which has proven effective but also poses risks related to compliance and consumer trust [15][19]. - Despite recent challenges, Zhubon remains a leading player in the cleansing oil category, with substantial sales figures reported in previous years [13][19].

Group 1 - A brand crisis triggered by a customer service incident is exposing operational difficulties for Hengan International [2][4] - The incident involved a customer being verbally abused by a service representative during a promotional inquiry, leading to widespread negative attention on social media [3] - Hengan International's response included claims of abnormal account access and promises of compensation for affected consumers, but no updates on the situation have been provided as of May 12 [4] Group 2 - Hengan International's financial performance is concerning, with a reported revenue decline of 4.6% and a net profit drop of 17.9% for 2024 [4] - The company's core tissue paper segment has experienced a significant loss of 245 million yuan, marking the first loss in this area [4] - Rising costs and industry price wars are contributing to unprecedented challenges for this once-prominent brand known for "Seven Space" and "Heart to Heart" products [4]