Kumamoto Prefecture’s popular mascot, Kumamon, is lending his face to the prefecture’s recovery effort. A new symbolic Kumamon trademark was released on Jun. 15; the character is shown waving a flag and calling out “Ganbaruken! Kumamoto-ken!” (“We will stand firm, Kumamoto Prefecture!”). This promotional trademark can only be used on products made by companies in Kumamoto Prefecture, and only until March 2017. In recent years, the annual sales of Kumamon-related products have exceeded 100 billion yen; it is hoped that this popular character will give a financial boost to the earthquake-affected area. Source: Asahi Shimbun, 6/16
