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Gunma-chan wins local mascot contest

TOKONAME, Japan - Gunma prefectural mascot Gunma-chan (L), the 2014 winner of an annual local mascot popularity contest, receives the gold medal from the previous winner, Sanomaru, a mascot of the city of Sano in Tochigi Prefecture, during an event in Tokoname, Aichi Prefecture, on Nov. 3, 2014.

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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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Hikone city mascot Hikonyan turns 10

Hikonyan (L), the city mascot of Hikone in Shiga Prefecture, western Japan, receives a present from Sanomaru, the mascot of the northeastern city of Sano in Tochigi Prefecture, during an event to celebrate Hikonyan's 10th birthday at Hikone Castle on April 13, 2016. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo