I still think the performance would be almost the same even with an actual asian actor in the role. I mean, Hollywood has always loved stereotypes.
As for me, I'm not a big fan of this depiction but it doesn't spoil the movie.
You want something corny? You got it!

To the original poster, the people that seem to have an issue with it are non-asians. Lighten up.

people who force political correctness pave way for people like trump

• side effect is you will bring in power all these things that disgust you, it is like an allergy; the more you scratch, the worse it gets.

It's one of a long list of roles that was whitewashed. It's an unfortunate practice that is still employed today.

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It was pretty poor, wasn't it, maybe racist. In a movie today you couldn't get away with it, because he was a minor character it probably didn't quite spoil a good movie.

Now I'm sure this has been discussed a million times before here
And it will be discussed a million times in the future.
Whenever anyone discusses Blake Edwards'
Breakfast At Tiffany's
, Yunioshi is inevitably mentioned. The overt racism embodied in the Asian caricature takes many first-time viewers by surprise.
Because of the Yunioshi character,
Breakfast At Tiffany's
has sparked boycotts at various film festivals. The character has been deemed "a fatal flaw" and has ingravescently harmed the film's reputation over time.
Blake Edwards later understood how much the caricature harmed the film. Before his death, he stated he would do anything to re-cast the role. Unfortunately, what is done is done. Mr. Yunioshi will haunt the film forever.

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Yeah, the ridiculous stereotypical portrayal of a Japanese character by a short, white actor was a thorn in the side of what was otherwise quite an enjoyable romp in an odd corner of a bygone era. It was like an attempt to bring every cliche ever used to demean the Japanese together into one character.
Fortunately, his scenes were so few and minor that they took little away from it and Ms. Hepburn had me captivated enough to blow past them.

I'd've gotten away with it, too, if it weren't for you meddling kids.

I also was turned off by it, but I did not think it was racist. It just was totally flat.

be a big boy and get over it more important things in life

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made me want to order some chinese food delivery.
Season's Greetings!

I think that he was a very unnecessary sort of character. Personally, I've had trouble several times getting through this movie. Not because of him, but because I just don't enjoy this movie.
~~
Jim Hutton: talented gorgeous hot hunk; adorable as ElleryQueen; SEXIEST ACTOR EVER