Lets Japan » Humor

10Mizuho Bank Happy Photo
9Kewpie Monthly Happy Present
8Calpis Happy Refresh
7Microsoft Happy Digital Life
6Docomo Happy Lucky
5Happy Lawson
4Rent-A-Car Happy
3Indy Japan Happy Bowling
2Daiwa Happy Hug House
1Happy Period

Notebook Computer Roller Bag

Posted in Humor, Japan, Products, Quiz, Transportation | Friday, May 2nd, 2008 | No Comments »

Real or fake?

Ugly Mascot = Valuable Free Publicity

Posted in Humor, Japan, Journalism, Marketing, Media | Friday, April 25th, 2008 | No Comments »

Is Former 1960’s TV Cartoon Character Sento-kun?

Alien and former TV star The Great Gazoo seems to have been the inspiration for Nara city’s new mascot Sento-kun.

Gazoo appeared as himself in a minor role on the popular American TV cartoon The Flintstones final season in 1965. Except for the occasional cameo in recent years, Gazoo has shunned media attention.

The Sento-kun character was revealed in February this year. Sento-kun was created for the 1,300th anniversary of the Nara Heijo-kyo capital. The mascot was widely criticized as being “not cute”.

But the negative response has resulted in extensive free publicity. The value of the free coverage is estimated at 13 million yen, according to a report from Osaka Prefectural University’s School of Economics.

other mascots in the news

Cat in Hat Can’t Quit

Posted in Animals, Government, Humor, Japan, Marketing, Media, Transportation | Monday, April 21st, 2008 | No Comments »

Tama-chan promoted to Super Station Chief after one year as regular Station Chief. Gets new house.

interview

LetsJapan: What did you do before you were appointed Stationmaster?
Tama-chan : I was being taken care of by an old lady who owned a shop next to Kishikawa station.

LJ: She provided for you.
Tc: Yeah. She tried to keep me in a cat house in the street.

LJ: How did you get this job?
Tc: Well, the government told her my house had to be moved off the road, so she got this wacky idea and suggested putting the kitty hut in the station.

LJ: And the stationmaster agreed.
Tc: He saw my potential. Be the mascot, get some attention, improve the decreasing usage of this route. He made me Station Chief.

LJ: That’s a nice hat.
Tc: I hate it.

LJ: Why?
Tc: I have to wear it all day. I can’t lay down on my right side. Dogs and birds can sneak up on me from the right. And half the time they can’t even put it on straight.