Japanese Mascots

Ohmin is the mascot of the Ohmifuji branch of the Japan Agriculture co-operative, Shiga prefecture. He likes eating instant food and yakitori. Ohmin’s profile is here and includes his own theme song. His name in Japanese is おうみん.

Kofukurozu is the collective name for the mascots of the Japan Agriculture co-operative in Shizuoka prefecture. Their profile is here. Kofukurozu’s name in Japanese is こうふくろうず.

Jinken Mamoru-kun and Jinken Ayumi-chan are the Ministry of Justice mascots of the concept of human rights. They are pictured here with former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and their profile is here. Jinken Mamoru-kun’s name in Japanese is 人KENまもる君. Jinken Ayumi-chan’s name in Japanese is 人KENあゆみちゃん.

Cross Kid-kun is the mascot of the Akita prefecture branch of the Red Cross. 153 suggestions for the character’s name were received from members of the public. A small web page is here. Cross Kid-kun’s name in Japanese is クロスキッドくん.

Kururu is the mascot of the Kokura Roll Cake Society in Kokura, Fukuoka prefecture. The swirling pattern on her stomach goes round when she is hungry. There is some Kururu merchandise here and her name in Japanese is くるる.

Choki-chan is the mascot of the National Barbers’ Association of Japan. 33,422 suggestions for a name were sent to the association by members of the public. Choki-chan was chosen because it gives a friendly feeling to people of all ages and because it is easy for children to say. His profile is here and Choki-chan’s name in Japanese is チョキちゃん.

Harerun is the mascot of the Japan Meteorological Agency. His name comes from the word “hare”, meaning “fine weather”, and he holds a green baton to represent hope for a disaster-free and peaceful world. The Harerun Land website is here and his profile is here. Harerun’s name in Japanese is はれるん.

Shota is the main mascot in Japan of the International Year of the Reef 2008. His name means “reef boy” and he is pictured surrounded by the six secondary mascots chosen at a ceremony in March 2008. They are Oni-De (top left), Kacchi, Chu and So (top right), Jangrass (bottom left), Kanirin (centre left), Unibo (centre right) and Taiyo-kun (bottom right). The characters’ profile is here.

Meisui-kun is the mascot of the Association for Promoting Fair Elections. He has a family of a mother, father, younger brother Tadashi-kun and younger sister Mei-chan. Meisui-kun’s profile is here and there is a printable .pdf explaining how to make a cut-out paper model of him here. His name in Japanese is めいすい君.

Minshu-kun is the mascot of the Democratic Party of Japan (Minshuto). His small website is here and the Minshuto TV commercials in which he featured are here. Minshu-kun’s name in Japanese is 民主くん.

Kizuna-chan is the mascot of JAXA, the Japanese Aero Exploration Agency. Her name means “bonds” or “ties” and her charm points are her big round eyes. Kizuna-chan’s profile is here.