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Kumamon visits quake-hit city in Ishikawa Pref.

Kumamon, the official mascot of the southwestern Japan prefecture of Kumamoto, makes chopsticks using a Wajima-nuri lacquerware technique at a facility in Wajima, an Ishikawa Prefecture city hit hard by the Jan. 1, 2024, massive earthquake, on Aug. 9, 2025. Kumamon is visiting various Ishikawa Prefecture cities to give encouragement to people affected by the disaster.

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Kumamon mascot at Osaka expo

Kumamon, the official mascot of Japan's Kumamoto Prefecture, southwestern Japan, takes part in a plum-pickling event at Earth Mart, part of the Signature Pavilion, at the World Exposition in Osaka on June 6, 2025.

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Mural featuring "One Piece" characters

Kumamoto Gov. Takashi Kimura (2nd from L), poses for photos with Kumamon, the official black bear mascot of the southwestern Japan prefecture, during a ceremony to unveil a mural featuring characters from the best-selling Japanese manga series "One Piece," at Kumamoto airport on Dec. 2, 2024. The mural was produced as part of a project to help Kumamoto, where the pirate manga's author Eiichiro Oda is from, recover from the April 2016 earthquakes.

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Mural featuring "One Piece" characters

Kumamon, the official black bear mascot of the southwestern Japan prefecture of Kumamoto, poses during a ceremony to unveil a mural featuring characters from the best-selling Japanese manga series "One Piece" at Kumamoto airport on Dec. 2, 2024. The mural was produced as part of a project to help Kumamoto, where the pirate manga's author Eiichiro Oda is from, recover from the April 2016 earthquakes.

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Kumamon named tourism envoy for S. Korea

Kumamon (C), the black bear mascot from southwestern Japan's Kumamoto Prefecture, poses for a photo in Seoul after being appointed honorary ambassador for Korea Tourism Organization.

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Kumamon mascot writes in calligraphy

Kumamon, the official mascot of Japan's Kumamoto Prefecture, writes in calligraphy at a press conference in the southwestern Japan city of Fukuoka on Nov. 6, 2023, to promote tourist spots in Kumamoto. (Kyodo)

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Kumamon mascot in Sao Paulo

Kumamon, the official mascot of Japan's Kumamoto Prefecture, poses for a photo with visitors at Japan House, a Japanese government culture facility, in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on Nov. 5, 2023. Kumamoto visited the facility to promote tourism in the southwestern Japan prefecture.

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Kumamon mascot in Sao Paulo

Kumamon, the official mascot of Japan's Kumamoto Prefecture, visits Japan House, a Japanese government culture facility, in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on Nov. 5, 2023, to promote tourism in the southwestern Japan prefecture.

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Kumamon mascot writes in calligraphy

Kumamon, the official mascot of Japan's Kumamoto Prefecture, writes in calligraphy at a press conference in the southwestern Japan city of Fukuoka on Nov. 6, 2023, to promote tourist spots in Kumamoto.

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Kumamon in Shanghai

Kumamon, the official black bear mascot of Japan's Kumamoto Prefecture, explains the progress in the reconstruction of the earthquake-hit Kumamoto Castle during an event with students of a junior high school in Shanghai on June 30, 2023. The school sent a donation to Kumamoto following the massive quakes that ravaged the southwestern Japan prefecture in April 2016.

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Kumamon in Shanghai

Kumamon, the official black bear mascot of Japan's Kumamoto Prefecture, meets with students of a junior high school in Shanghai on June 30, 2023. The school sent a donation to Kumamoto following the massive quakes that ravaged the southwestern Japan prefecture in April 2016.

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Kumamon at event in Taiwan

Kumamon, the official black bear mascot of Kumamoto Prefecture, southwestern Japan, attends a ceremony held in Taipei by the Kumamoto-based Higo Bank on June 28, 2023, to open its representative office in the Taiwanese city.

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Kumamon at event in Taiwan

Kumamon, the official black bear mascot of Kumamoto Prefecture, southwestern Japan, takes part in an event in Taipei on June 28, 2023.

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CORRECTED: CORRECTED: Kumamon at event in Shanghai

Kumamon, the official black bear mascot of Kumamoto Prefecture, southwestern Japan, takes part in an event in Shanghai on June 28, 2023.

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CORRECTED: CORRECTED: Kumamon at event in Shanghai

Kumamon, the official black bear mascot of Kumamoto Prefecture, southwestern Japan, takes part in an event in Shanghai on June 28, 2023. ==Kyodo

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Kumamon named tourism envoy for S. Korea

Kumamon (C), the black bear mascot from southwestern Japan's Kumamoto Prefecture, poses for a photo in Seoul after being appointed honorary ambassador for Korea Tourism Organization.

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Mascot characters launch joint publicity blitz

OSAKA, Japan - Mozuyan (L), the shrike mascot of Osaka Prefecture, and Kumamon (R), the black bear mascot of Kumamoto Prefecture, pose with specialties from the two regions in Osaka, western Japan, on Jan. 8, 2015. The two prefectures agreed the same day to jointly promote each other's specialties and tourism.

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Mascot characters launch joint publicity blitz

OSAKA, Japan - Kumamon (L), the black bear mascot of Kumamoto Prefecture, southwestern Japan, and Mozuyan (R), the shrike mascot of Osaka Prefecture, strike a pose with Osaka Gov. Ichiro Matsui in the western Japan city of Osaka on Jan. 8, 2015. The two prefectures agreed the same day to jointly promote each other's specialties and tourism.

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Kumamon receives Word of Mouth Marketing Association award

LOS ANGELES, United States - Kumamon, the black bear mascot of Japan's Kumamoto Prefecture, poses on a red carpet during an award ceremony in Hollywood on Nov. 18, 2014, held by the Word of Mouth Marketing Association of the United States. Kumamon received an award for promoting red food products of the southwestern prefecture, such as tomatoes and water melons, through an "incident" in which the mascot lost his red cheeks.

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Kumamon receives Word of Mouth Marketing Association award

LOS ANGELES, United States - Kumamon, the black bear mascot of Japan's Kumamoto Prefecture, expresses its joy after receiving an award during a ceremony in Hollywood on Nov. 18, 2014, from the Word of Mouth Marketing Association of the United States. Kumamon was awarded for promoting red food products of the southwestern prefecture, such as tomatoes and water melons, through an "incident" in which the mascot lost his red cheeks.

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Kumamon receives Word of Mouth Marketing Association award

LOS ANGELES, United States - Kumamon, the black bear mascot of Japan's Kumamoto Prefecture, poses for photos with other award recipients during an award ceremony in Hollywood on Nov. 18, 2014, held by the Word of Mouth Marketing Association of the United States. Kumamon was awarded for promoting red food products of the southwestern prefecture, such as tomatoes and water melons, through an "incident" in which the mascot lost his red cheeks.

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Admission ticket bearing 'Kumamon' character on sale

KUMAMOTO, Japan - A railway station admission ticket featuring the "Kumamon" mascot character of the Kumamoto prefectural government is on sale at Kumamoto Station of Kyushu Railway Co. in the prefectural capital, southwestern Japan. The ticket, put on sale on Oct. 20, 2014, commemorates the centennial of the launch of the Hohi Line's service between the Kumamoto and Higo-ozu stations.

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Philippine city marks 1st anniversary of super typhoon

PALO, Philippines - Japanese stage director Kenshi Mishiro (L) presents his country's popular stuffed animal "Kumamon" to Mayor Remedios Petilla of Palo, the central Philippines, at a memorial service held on Nov. 7, 2014, on the first anniversary of super typhoon Haiyan that left thousands dead last year.

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Handmade 'Kumamon' teddy by Steiff on display in Japan

KUMAMOTO, Japan - A special "Kumamon" teddy bear, handmade from plush at German high-end teddy bear manufacturer Steiff Co., is displayed at Kumamon Square in Kumamoto, southwestern Japan, on Aug. 22, 2014. Kumamon is Kumamoto Prefecture's mascot character for promoting its tourism and local products.

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World Santa Clauses meet for congress in southwest Japan

KUMAMOTO, Japan - Many Santa Clauses from around the world, authorized by the Greenland International Santa Claus Association, parade in Kumamoto, Kumamoto Prefecture, on Sept. 12, 2014, together with the southwestern Japanese prefecture's popular mascot character "Kumamon" to promote the Sept. 14 World Santa Claus Congress in Amakusa.

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Mascot 'Kumamon' fails to win top prize in national contest

TOKYO, Japan - "Kumamon," a popular mascot character of Kumamoto Prefecture widely used to publicize the southwestern Japan prefecture, holds an award certificate during a prefectural policymaking contest from Kyoto Governor Keiji Yamada (R), head of the National Governors' Association, in Tokyo on Sept. 4, 2014. Osaka Prefecture received the best award.

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Mascot 'Kumamon' fails to win top prize in national contest

TOKYO, Japan - "Kumamon," a popular mascot character of Kumamoto Prefecture widely used to publicize the southwestern Japan prefecture, receives an award during a prefectural policymaking contest from Kyoto Governor Keiji Yamada (R), head of the National Governors' Association, in Tokyo on Sept. 4, 2014. Osaka Prefecture received the best award.

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Japanese mascot figure helps sales at Taiwan's 7-Eleven

TAIPEI, Taiwan - Kumamoto Gov. Ikuo Kabashima (L) is flanked by the southwestern Japanese prefecture's popular mascot character Kumamon holding an "OPEN-chan" doll, a mascot of 7-Eleven stores in Taiwan, in Taipei on Aug. 19, 2014. The prefecture and President Chain Store Corp., Taiwan's operator of 7-Eleven stores, agreed the same day to collaborate for the sale of 25 Kumamon-bearing items at the stores.

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Japanese character-bearing snacks shown at H.K. food fair

HONG KONG, China - A staffer from Shiraishi Co., a snack food wholesaler based in Kumamoto Prefecture, southwestern Japan, explains products that bear a picture of the prefecture's popular mascot character "Kumamon" during a food fair in Hong Kong on Aug. 14, 2014.

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Kumamon drawn in paddy field

KUMAMOTO, Japan - Photo taken from a platform at Shintamana Station on the Kyushu Shinkansen line shows an image of Kumamon, a popular bear mascot character of Kumamoto Prefecture, drawn with eight rice species having different colors.

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'Kumamon' character-bearing pasta in soup put on sale

OSAKA, Japan - Acecook Co. unveils vegetable soup with pasta bearing the face of Kumamon, the mascot character promoting Kumamoto Prefecture, on the exterior of the cup at a press conference in Osaka on June 25, 2014. The soup, made from tomatoes produced in the southwestern Japanese prefecture, among other things, went on sale on July 28.

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Kashima Gatalympic at mudflats in Saga Pref.

SAGA, Japan - A woman with headwear showing Kumamon, the mascot character promoting Kumamoto Prefecture, dives into the mudflats of the Ariake Sea during the Kashima Gatalympic in Kashima, Saga Prefecture on May 25, 2014.

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Gold statue of Kumamon

TOKYO, Japan - Photo shows a pure gold statue of Kumamon, the popular black bear mascot of Japan's southwestern prefecture of Kumamoto, unveiled by Tanaka Kikinzoku Jewelry K.K., and the real mascot, at the company's flagship store in Tokyo's Ginza district on May 1, 2014. The statue, with a price tag of 100 million yen, weighs roughly 10 kilograms and stands around 17 centimeters tall.

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Gold statue of Kumamon

TOKYO, Japan - Photo shows a pure gold statue of Kumamon, the popular black bear mascot of Japan's southwestern prefecture of Kumamoto, unveiled by Tanaka Kikinzoku Jewelry K.K. at its flagship store in Tokyo's Ginza district on May 1, 2014. The statue, with a price tag of 100 million yen, weighs roughly 10 kilograms and stands around 17 centimeters tall.

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Gold statue of Kumamon

TOKYO, Japan - Photo shows a pure gold statue of Kumamon, the popular black bear mascot of Japan's southwestern prefecture of Kumamoto, unveiled by Tanaka Kikinzoku Jewelry K.K., and the real mascot, at the company's flagship store in Tokyo's Ginza district on May 1, 2014. The statue, with a price tag of 100 million yen, weighs roughly 10 kilograms and stands around 17 centimeters tall.

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Kumamon joins kindergartners in crime-prevention blitz

OSAKA, Japan - Popular mascot Kumamon (back R) created by the Kumamoto prefectural government takes part in a quiz show with kindergartners in a crime-prevention campaign held on April 21, 2014, by the Sonezaki Police Station in Osaka, western Japan.

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Mascot character Kumamon look-alike made of lacquerware

YONAGO, Japan - A figure that looks like Kumamon, the popular black bear mascot of Kumamoto Prefecture, made of lacquerware is exhibited at a traditional event in Nambu, Tottori Prefecture, western Japan, on April 12, 2014.

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Kumamon's birthday party

KUMAMOTO, Japan - A birthday party is held March 12, 2014, for Kumamon, the popular black bear mascot of Japan's southwestern prefecture of Kumamoto, in the prefectural capital Kumamoto City. Governor Ikuo Kabashima and many fans of Kumamon gathered for the event.

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Kumamon's birthday party

KUMAMOTO, Japan - A birthday party is held March 12, 2014, for Kumamon, the popular black bear mascot of Japan's southwestern prefecture of Kumamoto, in the prefectural capital Kumamoto City. Governor Ikuo Kabashima and many fans of Kumamon gathered for the event.

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'Kumamon' promotes Kumamoto-related stamp rally

TOKYO, Japan - Kumamoto Prefecture mascot "Kumamon" promotes a stamp rally of visiting Kumamoto-linked train stations in Tokyo at Ginza Kumamotokan in Tokyo in January 2014. The stamp rally held by Kumamoto Prefecture and Tokyo Metro Co. runs from Jan. 15 to Feb. 11.

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Coming of age event for tour guides

TOKYO, Japan - Kumamon (C), a popular black bear mascot for Japan's Kumamoto Prefecture, joins coming-of-age celebrations for sightseeing tour guides of Hato Bus Co. dressed in kimono, in Tokyo's Minato Ward on Jan. 10, 2014. The company, which offers sightseeing bus services in and around the capital, annually holds its own celebration event for guides who are or will turn 20 years old as of April 1 ahead of the actual Coming of Age Day holiday, when the guides will be at work in Tokyo instead of celebrating in their own hometowns.

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Tochigi's "Sanomaru" wins mascot competition

SAITAMA, Japan - "Sanomaru" (left), the local mascot of Sano, Tochigi Prefecture, receives congratulations from "Kumamon," the black bear mascot of Kumamoto Prefecture, after winning the "yuru-kyara" (loose character) grand prix competition, the results of which were announced in Hanyu, Saitama Prefecture, on Nov. 24, 2013.

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Lecture on Kumamon at Harvard

BOSTON, United States - Kumamon (R), the popular black bear mascot of the southwestern Japanese prefecture of Kumamoto, dances to the tune of a song named after the character during a lecture given by Kumamoto Gov. Ikuo Kabashima (C back) at Harvard University near Boston on Nov. 12, 2013. The lecture titled "Kumamon's political science and economics" was on how Kumamon has helped "maximize the overall happiness" of residents.

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Lecture on Kumamon at Harvard

BOSTON, United States - Kumamoto Gov. Ikuo Kabashima gives a lecture entitled "Kumamon's political science and economics" -- or how Kumamon, the popular black bear mascot of the southwestern Japanese prefecture, has helped "maximize the overall happiness" of residents -- at Harvard University near Boston on Nov. 12, 2013.

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Kumamon meets Wally

BOSTON, United States - (From L) Kumamoto Gov. Ikuo Kabashima and "Kumamon," the popular black bear mascot of the southwestern Japanese prefecture, meet Wally, the mascot of the Boston Red Sox, at Fenway Park in Boston on Nov. 12, 2013.

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Kumamon greets imperial couple

KUMAMOTO, Japan - Kumamoto Prefecture's official mascot, a black bear called "Kumamon" (L), dances before Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko at the prefectural hall in the city of Kumamoto on Oct. 28, 2013.

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Santa Clauses

KUMAMOTO, Japan - Seventeen Santa Clauses from around the world arrive at an airport in Amakusa, Kumamoto Prefecture, on Sept. 7, 2013, to attend a conference in the southwestern Japan city. At center is the local area mascot Kumamon.

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Japan Expo in Paris

PARIS, France - Kumamon (L) and Hikonyan, the official mascots representing Japan's Kumamoto Prefecture and Hikone City, respectively, take part in Japan Expo in Paris on July 4, 2013. The event introducing Japanese pop culture is one of the largest of its kind in the world.

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Japan Expo in Paris

PARIS, France - Participants of Japan Expo pose for photos with Kumamon (2nd from L), the official bear mascot of Japan's Kumamoto Prefecture, at the convention in Paris on July 4, 2013. The event introducing Japanese pop culture is one of the largest of its kind in the world.

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JAL to serve 'Air Kumamon'

TOKYO, Japan - Kumamon (C), the popular black bear mascot character of Kumamoto Prefecture, holds a tray carrying the local cuisine of the southwestern prefecture to be served by Japan Airlines Co. on some international flights, during a promotional event in Tokyo on May 30, 2013. JAL calls the in-flight meal "Air Kumamon."