Alibaba asks for candidates with qualities of adult video actress Sora Aoi

Alibaba has taken down a job advert that asked for candidates with a ‘stunning’ appearance that will ‘excite’ greatly.

The Chinese e-commerce company’s post for a Programmer Encouragement Specialist was translated by news outlet Quartz. The job requirements read: “Your appearance is adequately stunning to programmers. Even a quick glance at you should excite and inspire them greatly. You might be an open-minded lolita like Sora Aoi, who can face the greatest of challenges.”

Sora Aoi, mentioned, is a Japanese pornstar.

The requirements went on to say: “Is your photo too beautiful, Photoshopped to the point that programmers can’t recognise you? Points subtracted.”

The job advert has been removed but was screenshotted and tweeted by a number of Twitter users beforehand. Including Chiu-Ki Chan (@chiuki), who has posted a picture of the job advert saying: “Screenshot for prosperity. This is inappropriate on so many levels.”

Alibaba has since apologised for the post, which was intended to be humorous. An email to Bloomberg reads: “We apologise to anyone offended by this ad. Alibaba is committed to providing equal opportunity and fair treatment to all employees on the basis of merit, without discrimination.”

A new vacancy has since been posted with no reference to Sora Aoi and an emphasis that both men and women can apply.