Kumamon, a wide-eyed and red-cheeked bear representing Kumamoto Prefecture, is the gold standard of yuru kyara, Japan’s pervasive promotional mascots. Since debuting in 2011, the character has ...

These days, no character stands out more than Kumamon, the lumpy black bear mascot promoting rural Kumamoto prefecture in southern Japan.

Kumamoto Prefecture is pinning its hopes for a post-pandemic recovery in tourism on its famous mascot — the wide-eyed black bear called Kumamon.

Kumamon, the official mascot of Kumamoto Prefecture, is a round-faced bear about 1.5m tall that is tasked with promoting tourism and local products.

When I walked through the city I saw a character using a bear jumping into my eyes in everywhere. May 04, 2017 22 ... me." Yet the girls are innocent answers "Kumamoto bear ~ (Kumamon ~)".

The bear isn't only influential in the region, and has been used nationwide to persuade consumers to buy things grown and made in Kumamoto, Kyodo news service notes, external.