Local News

In a youtube video posted yesterday Oct. 29, Kumamoto Prefectural Governor Ikuo Kabashima announced at a press conference that Kumamon is missing his red cheeks! The governor goes on to explain that the beloved mascot’s round red cheeks are a symbol of Kumamoto’s happiness. He ends the video with a plea to help find Kumamon’s cheeks! Since Kumamon’s creation in 2010, the cute mascot has become popular across Japan, especially after winning a nationwide mascot contest, bringing tourism and merchandising revenue to Kumamoto Prefecture. The video appears on a website titled “くまもんのはっぺを探しています” (Searching for Kumamon’s cheeks) but so far there’s no further hint at what’s to follow. Keep an eye out! http://kumamon-rhp.com