Miscellaneous

All the prefectures in Japan have mascots, but Kumamon — the one from Kumamoto — is special. As well as being popular throughout Japan, he’s known worldwide. Something about this black bear has captured the hearts of people around the globe. The Origins of Kumamon Kumamon came into existence in 2010 as an effort to bring tourists to the newly-opened Kyushu Shinkansen high-speed rail line. His name means “person from Kumamoto” in the local dialect. Assigned the position of Happiness Manager of Kumamoto by the prefectural governor, Kumamon’s role is to share the happiness he finds around him. He is also the sales manager of the prefecture, meaning he needs to promote tourism and the agricultural products of Kumamoto. What Makes Kumamon Different? When Kumamon made his first appearance, many other mascots were also coming onto the scene — but he managed to stand out. Just a little over a year after he debuted, he received the most votes in a national survey for the best mascot. It’s not just Kumamon’s wide, staring eyes, red cheeks, and smile that makes him unique, it’s his personality. His public relations appearances are less contrived than many other mascots, which has helped him…