The metal silhouettes of characters from the Sazae-san cartoon have been removed from Momochi Seaside Park (Sawara Ward) for repairs due to vandalism. The Tara-chan silhouette was recently found to have been broken off at the base, the same fate that befell the beloved Sazae-san last summer, and the Wakame-chan silhouette was bent. Local residents are understandably upset by the senseless act, especially since the characters are located in a spot well traveled by tourists. The silhouettes are located on Sazaesan-dori, a street renamed for the cartoon to commemorate the spot where it was first conceived. A local group has started collecting donations to pay for repairs. Source: Mainichi Shimbun, 2/18
