Hello Kitty As Japan Tourism Ambassador
Hello Kitty is set to be the new tourism ambassador of Japan. The character will present the country in China and Hong Kong where it is most popular among children and young women.
The Hello Kitty character was designed in 1974 by Sanrio, and first appeared on ordinary plastic coin purses. Nowadays, this image is one of the most powerful brands and represents around 50,000 products in 60 countries.
As MSNBC reports, there are also other tourism ambassadors in Japan. Among them is a singer, an actress and a pop/rock star.
At a press conference, Sanrio Co. President Shintaro Tsuji called Hello Kitty’s new appointment “an honor” and pledged to “work hard to attract many visitors.” Japan’s other goodwill tourism ambassadors include Korean singer Younha, Japanese actress Yoshino Kimura and Japanese pop/rock duo Puffy AmiYumi.
Although this is the first time the tourism ministry has tapped a fictional character for the role, the foreign ministry in March inaugurated blue robo-cat Doraemon as Japan’s “anime ambassador.”
It seems as if Hello Kitty is traveling all around the world. According to azcentral, Hello Kitty’s new travels are scheduled for Malaysia, Singapore and the United States.
A multi-million-dollar musical featuring Hello Kitty opened earlier this year in Beijing and is in the midst of a national tour. Hello Kitty’s Dream Light Fantasy is then scheduled to travel to Malaysia, Singapore and the United States over its three-year run.
Photo:© smussyolay
No related posts.