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Hello, China: Meet Japan's New Envoy

Japan tabs pop icon to bring in visitors from China

By Nick McMaster,  Newser Staff

Posted May 19, 2008 8:00 PM CDT
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(Newser) – Hello Kitty has been tapped as Japan’s cultural envoy to China, the AP reports. Japan’s ministry of tourism chose the über-popular icon to represent the country in its drive to attract 10 million annual visitors to the islands. Last year, tourists from China and Hong Kong made up 16.5% of Japan's 8.35 million overseas visitors.

Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Minister Tetsuzo Fuyushiba shakes hands with kimono-clad Hello Kitty as South Korean singer Younha looks on at his office in Tokyo Monday, May 19, 2008.
Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Minister Tetsuzo Fuyushiba shakes hands with kimono-clad Hello Kitty as South Korean singer Younha looks on at his office in Tokyo Monday, May 19, 2008.   (AP Photo/Koji Sasahara)
Toy maker Sanrio shop employees clap their hands after unveiling world's biggest statue of Hello Kitty in Tokyo Friday, Feb. 1, 2008.
Toy maker Sanrio shop employees clap their hands after unveiling world's biggest statue of Hello Kitty in Tokyo Friday, Feb. 1, 2008.   (AP Photo/Itsuo Inouye)
Kimono-clad Hello Kitty holds her certificate received from Japan's Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Minister Tetsuzo Fuyushiba, left, at his office in Tokyo, Monday, May 19, 2008.
Kimono-clad Hello Kitty holds her certificate received from Japan's Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Minister Tetsuzo Fuyushiba, left, at his office in Tokyo, Monday, May 19, 2008.   (AP Photo/Koji Sasahara)
Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Minister Tetsuzo Fuyushiba, center, poses with South Korean singer Younha and kimono-clad Hello Kitty holding certificates they received at his office in Tokyo, Monday, May 19, 2008.
Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Minister Tetsuzo Fuyushiba, center, poses with South Korean singer Younha and kimono-clad Hello Kitty holding certificates they received at his office in Tokyo,...   (AP Photo/Koji Sasahara)
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Chinese-language Hello Kitty blog part of tourism push
AFP

 
China • Japan • tourism • Hong Kong • pop culture • envoy • Hello Kitty

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