Japanese Mascots

Inappi- is the mascot of the fiftieth anniversary of the foundation of Inazawa City, Aichi prefecture. A profile is here. Inappi-’s name in Japanese is いなッピー.

Ussan is the mascot of the 2009 National Day of Health & Welfare, to be staged in Sapporo, Hokkaido prefecture. His website is here and a library of images of him playing different sports is here. Ussan’s name in Japanese is うっさん.

Kyaffy is the mascot of the 2008 National Sports and Recreation Festival, being held in October in Shiga prefecture. His diary is here. Kyaffy’s name in Japanese is キャッフィー.

Bunkakki- is the mascot of the National Cultural Festival, held in 2000 in Hiroshima. His design incorporates oysters and a maple leaf, both of which are associated with the Hiroshima area. Bunkakki-’s profile is here. His name in Japanese is ブンカッキー.

Fuma-chan is the mascot of the 2008 All-Japan High School Cultural Festival, to be held in August in Gunma prefecture. Her profile is here and a collection of images of Fuma-chan performing different cultural activities is here. Fuma-chan’s name in Japanese is 風舞ちゃん.

Hearty-kun was the mascot of Year of Volunteers campaign, which ran in 2000. A short profile is here. Hearty-kun’s name in Japanese is ハーティーくん.

Eco-kun is the mascot of the Shikoku Bureau of Economy, Trade & Industry’s February 2008 energy and ecology campaign. He wants to protect the global environment. Eco-kun’s profile is here. His name in Japanese is エコくん。.

E-mori-kun is the mascot of the 32nd Japan Arboricultural Festival, to be held in Ehime prefecture in October 2008. A small web page is here. E-mori-kun’s name in Japanese is Ｅ～もりくん.

Waketon is the main mascot of the G8 Environment Ministers’ Conference, held in May 2008 in Kobe, Hyogo prefecture. He is interested in tackling the problem of waste in Kobe. The profile of Waketon and his sub-characters Wakenyan, Wakepi-, Wakehen and Yarahen is here. His name in Japanese is ワケトン.

Furu-bi- is the mascot of the Japan pavilion at EXPO Zaragoza 2008. He is on the left of the picture below, alongside Kiccoro and Morizo from the Aichi 2005 EXPO. Furu-bi’s name in Japanese is フルービー.

Buspi- is the mascot of the Hiroshima Bus Festival. His name in Japanese is バスピー.

Himeka is the mascot of the National Confectionery Exposition 2008, to be held in Himeji, Hyogo prefecture. His profile is here. There is some merchandise here and here. Himeka’s name in Japanese is ひめか.

Takapon is the mascot of the Ryokaku Fair, held during spring 2008 to show off flowers and gardens in Gunma prefecture. His website is here. Takapon’s name in Japanese is タカポン.

Animaru is the mascot of the 13th Animation Kobe Festival, to be held in 2008 in the city of Kobe, Hyogo prefecture. He dreams of starring in an animated movie. Animaru’s profile is here in .pdf format. His name in Japanese is アニまる.

Mejiron is the mascot of the National Sports Festival 2008, being staged in Oita prefecture. His profile is here; there is some merchandise here and some video clips of Mejiron’s official dance here. His name in Japanese is めじろん.