Microsoft Corp. said on Friday that its latest version of Office software inadvertently contained a font featuring two swastikas, and said it would offer tools to remove and replace the offending characters from the program.

The swastika, which was made infamous by Nazi Germany, was included in Microsoft’s “Bookshelf Symbol 7” font. That font was derived from a Japanese font set, said Microsoft Office product manager Simon Marks.

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A form of the swastika has been used in the Buddhist religion to symbolize the feet or footprints of the Buddha. The symbol, which was also used widely in the ancient world including Mesopotamia, Scandinavia, India and the Americas, became common in China and Japan with the spread of Buddhism.

A whole much ado about nothing, if you ask me. Remember when the ADL got all buggy over the presence of a swastika on a Pokémon card four years ago? Or this wingding-related retardulousness from September 11th? I can’t even believe they dignified that with a response. How long til they issue a press release on this one, ya think? (c/o Darieus)