AMERICAN OTAKU

In one of our previous blog entries, we wrote about “Hello Kitty” being elected as the ambassador of tourism to represent Japan in Hong Kong and China (check out our blog entry “Hello Kitty, the ambassador“). This bold move paved the way for other manga characters to participate in the Japanese government. Please welcome Japanese ambassadors: Doraemon and Astroboy!!!

Foreign Minister Masahiko Komura appointed Doraemon, the “ambassador of anime,” and told him, “Doraemon, I hope you will travel around the world as an anime ambassador to deepen people’s understanding of Japan so they will become friends with Japan.” Doraemon, through voice actress Wasabi Mizuta, replied “through my cartoons, I hope to convey to people abroad what ordinary Japanese people think, our lifestyles and what kind of future we want to build.”

Astro Boy, another cartoon icon, was named in November as the ambassador of overseas safety.

SOURCE: MNBC