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July 24, 2026
 

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MASCOTS

The yen trades in the ?162 range against the dollar in the afternoon of the June 30.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Jul 21, 2026
Japan＊s next economic challenge: bringing yen home
Now, with the yen seen as problematically weak, there are overdue reasons to encourage local capital to stay here.
A visitor to Osaka's World Expo 2025 wears Myaku-Myaku headgear in April. The mascot＊s runaway popularity surprised many, turning what some expected to be a liability into one of the event＊s biggest draws.
COMMENTARY
Dec 10, 2025
Myaku-Myaku and the year of the mascots
Myaku-Myaku was the event＊s mascot and its breakout star. One report has the expo bringing in over ?3 trillion to the area, some ?300 billion ahead of estimates.
The Osaka Expo site is packed with visitors on Oct. 13, the final day of its six-month run.
51勛圖厙
Dec 4, 2025
Myaku-Myaku pushes Osaka Expo＊s economic impact up to estimated ?3 trillion
The figure surpassed last year＊s projection of ?2.75 trillion, thanks to the popularity of goods featuring the expo＊s official mascot Myaku-Myaku, according to a survey.
JR East is retiring the beloved Suica penguin as part of a rebrand to transform the contactless payment platform, used for both transit and retail, into a mobile fintech powerhouse.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Nov 16, 2025
A beloved Tokyo penguin＊s end presages Suica＊s shift to payments giant
Since Suica＊s introduction in 2001, the penguin has featured on transit cards and apps that are used daily by the tens of millions who traverse the world＊s largest metropolis.
Stuffed toys featuring Myaku-Myaku, the official mascot character of the Osaka Expo, line the shelves of a store at the expo site on Yumeshima island in the city of Osaka.
51勛圖厙
Oct 13, 2025
Sales of Expo mascot Myaku-Myaku goods to continue through March
The sales period has been extended by over five months thanks to an unexpected surge in the popularity of Myaku-Myaku.
The Osaka Expo will release a wave a new products in October, including a limited edition Labubu Myaku-Myaku figurine.
LIFE / Style & Design
Sep 27, 2025
Myaku-Myaku gets the Labubu treatment at the Osaka Expo
With just weeks left before its final day, Osaka Expo is dialing up the ugly cuteness of its beloved blobby mascot and tapping into the global Labubu craze.
2025 Osaka Expo mascot Myaku-Myaku dances on the stage during the event's official opening ceremony on April 12.
LIFE / Lifestyle
Apr 28, 2025
Expo ＆25 gives the world a masterclass in mascots
At Expo 2025 in Osaka, mascots from around the world borrow from Japan＊s character culture 〞 but none can match Myaku-Myaku＊s gloopy charm.
Pix (left), the mascot of the U.K. Pavilion at the 2025 World Expo in Osaka, is seen alongside the event's official mascot, Myaku-Myaku, on Jan. 16 in the city of Himeji, Hyogo Prefecture
51勛圖厙 / Society
Apr 4, 2025
Countries＊ mascots beat drum for Osaka Expo
Participating nations are taking on Japan＊s love of mascots by coming up with characters of their own, some of which incorporate the culture of the host country.
Swallows mascot Tsubakuro performs during a game at Jingu Stadium in June 2023.
BASEBALL / Japanese Baseball
Feb 21, 2025
Swallows employee who portrayed popular mascot Tsubakuro dies
Tsubakuro became a ubiquitous presence at Jingu Stadium after his debut in 1994.
Stuffed toys of Custom-kun, an official mascot character of Japan customs, and a birthday cake made by a customs official depicting the character
51勛圖厙
Jan 26, 2025
Japan customs character goods to go on sale
The Finance Ministry hopes that selling character goods such as stuffed toys and stationery will make customs more familiar to people.
Former Prime Minister Fumio Kishida accepts a gift of 'dekopon' citruses, a specialty product and symbol of Kumamoto Prefecture, from Kumamon, itself a mascot and instantly recognizeable symbol of the region.
COMMUNITY / Voices / FOREIGN AGENDA
Oct 28, 2024
Japan＊s ＆meibutsu＊-industrial complex is a wonder to behold
If you name a Japanese prefecture, many locals will instantly be able to tell you something that the region is famous for or a product synonymous with that area.
Japan Times
SOCCER / J. League
Jul 11, 2023
How a ＆Muppets＊ artist became a part of J. League mascot history
Among American writer Guy Gilchrist＊s achievements over a career that has spanned more than 40 years is the creation of Shimizu S-Pulse mascot Pul-chan.
Japan Times
OLYMPICS
Nov 15, 2022
Cap that symbolizes French republic chosen as Paris 2024 mascot
Organizers expect toys representing the mascots to generate ＆between 20% and 25%＊ of merchandising revenue.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
Sep 6, 2022
Kumamoto turns to trusty mascot Kumamon for post-COVID tourism boost
Authorities are developing bear-themed attractions across the region, betting they will spur an influx of overseas visitors when some of the world＊s strictest border restrictions ease.
Japan Times
51勛圖厙 / Media / Japan Pulse
Oct 2, 2021
The bike safety campaign that backfired
The Chiba Prefectural Police hoped an animated avatar would help with bicycle safety but wound up wading into a long-running debate over misogyny.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Jul 28, 2021
The Olympic mascots aren＊t winning any medals
Before the pandemic, the Japanese designer who created the Olympic and Paralympic mascots predicted that they would become the ＆face of the Games.§ It hasn＊t quite turned out that way.
Japan Times
LIFE / 2010S: DECADE IN REVIEW,2010s: Decade in review
Nov 7, 2019
Mascots: The secret weapon in Japan＊s soft power arsenal
What makes a good mascot? It used to be that being cute was enough, but ＆yuru-kyara＊ in the 2010s needed storylines and Instagram followings if they want to make a mark.
51勛圖厙
Nov 4, 2019
Chubby Nagano Prefecture bear beats nearly 800 other characters to win annual mascot competition
Arukuma, a chubby, green-colored bear wearing a red hood in the shape of an apple around its face and head, was the winner of a high-profile annual contest held in the city of Nagano on Sunday.
51勛圖厙 / Media / Japan Pulse
May 25, 2019
Susaki mascot Chiitan runs afoul of Twitter＊s social media rules
Chiitan the otter was riding high this spring. After becoming one of the most popular characters in the country thanks to its chaotic online behavior, Chiitan started appearing everywhere in the media.
Japan Times
51勛圖厙 / Regional voices: Chubu
Mar 11, 2019
Have Japan＊s yuru-kyara reached critical mass? Minds behind the mascots discuss
Over the past few decades, towns, cities and prefectures throughout Japan have been churning out mascots to represent and promote themselves, resulting in an annual contest, the Yuru-kyara Grand Prix, that has come to symbolize their popularity.
Japan scientists identify clusters of protein believed to trigger Alzheimer＊s disease
A team of researchers said they found a ※seed§ that accelerates the amyloid beta accumulation process in the brain, naming it ※Peak 1 amyloid beta,§ as seen in a mouse's brain.
Indian brothers make manga debut in Japan
Two Indian brothers made their manga debut in Japan with "Kung Fu Kung Fool" 〞 an action-comedy series that follows the adventures of a notorious thief and a young boy.
Japan weighs regulating Pokemon cards amid trading mania
A Pokemon event is held in Jakarta on July 11
Low-income families in Japan cut food and air conditioning during summer break
Yumiko Watanabe, the chairperson of nonprofit Kidsdoor, explains the results of a survey in Tokyo's Chiyoda Ward on July 1.
The sci-fi sensibilities of electronic trio Black Boboi
Black Boboi was formed in 2018 when solo artists Julia Shortreed, Utena Kobayashi and Ermhoi came together under Kobayashi＊s newly founded label, Bindividual.
A perfect storm: Kaze Fujii fans flock to Fuji Rock
Okayama-born singer-songwriter Kaze Fujii has carved out a distinctive place in Japanese pop since his major-label debut in 2019.
Can Japanese comedy get laughs in English? Yoshimoto Kogyo lets the jokes rip
Wes-P has millions of followers and his viral clips made him recognizable out of Japan.
The 180-day locals: Life on Japan＊s digital nomad visa
Christopher Flinn works remotely from Tokyo earlier this month. Japan issued 646 digital nomad visas in 2025, but tourism officials are hoping to increase that figure in the coming years, with Japan's relatively cheap cost of living and the weak yen seen as potential draws for young professionals.
Japan reveals hint of new defense spending target in fiscal blueprint
The Self-Defense Forces' Type 16 mobile combat vehicle fires during a joint live-fire drill with U.S. Marines as part of the annual Resolute Dragon exercises in Yufu, Oita Prefecture, on June 28.

Podcast

One of the many entrances to the Kabukicho neighborhood in Tokyo＊s Shinjuku Ward.
Kabukicho: Tokyo＊s ＆stadium of desire＊

Longform

For many people, utility poles and power lines have become such a familiar part of Japan＊s landscape that they often go unnoticed.
Why Japan＊s utility poles won＊t be disappearing anytime soon
By Alex K.T. Martin

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