Japanese hot-spring area makes 'happi' coats for Obama family

Japanese hot-spring area makes 'happi' coats for Obama family

NAGASAKI, Japan - The proprietress of a Japanese-style inn Yumiko Kusano (2nd from L) and three members of a tourism association in the Obama hot-spring area of Unzen, Nagasaki Prefecture, pose Jan. 14 wearing and showing blue ''happi'' coats. They specially made them for U.S. President-elect Barack Obama, his wife Michelle and their two daughters to celebrate his upcoming inauguration. Kusano is secretary general of the group ''Change Obama no kai (Change Obama association)'' which consists of proprietresses and other local people. The group tailored the Japanese coats, with ''President Obama'' written on one of the collars and ''Nagasaki, Obama Hot Spring'' on the other in white for the couple, getting their measurements via the Internet.

Japanese hot-spring area makes 'happi' coats for Obama family

Japanese hot-spring area makes 'happi' coats for Obama family

NAGASAKI, Japan - The proprietress of a Japanese-style inn Yumiko Kusano (2nd from L) and three members of a tourism association in the Obama hot-spring area of Unzen, Nagasaki Prefecture, pose Jan. 14 wearing and showing blue ''happi'' coats. They specially made them for U.S. President-elect Barack Obama, his wife Michelle and their two daughters to celebrate his upcoming inauguration. Kusano is secretary general of the group ''Change Obama no kai (Change Obama association)'' which consists of proprietresses and other local people. The group tailored the Japanese coats, with ''President Obama'' written on one of the collars and ''Nagasaki, Obama Hot Spring'' on the other in white for the couple, getting their measurements via the Internet. (Kyodo)