The city of Shima in Mie Prefecture has scrapped its endorsement of a controversial mascot slammed by some locals as overly sexual and demeaning to local ama divers.
The move, announced Thursday, came after the city, slated to host next year¡¯s Group of Seven summit, received about 300 signatures from ama divers and other local residents in August calling for the mascot to be withdrawn.
Sporting a tight top, miniskirt and large breasts, her grin arguably coquettish, the teen mascot ¡ª dubbed Aoshima Megu ¡ª is a fictional 17-year-old schoolgirl who aspires to become a professional ama.
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