The detailed usage guidelines for the popular mascot character Kumamon have recently attracted attention on Japanese social media. Some of the rules prompted surprised, amused and even critical reactions from commenters. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Many Japanese towns, organizations and companies have their own mascot characters, usually in the form of a cute creature that represents some aspect of the place. Kumamon, the red-cheeked bear who is the PR mascot for Kumamoto prefecture in Kyushu, is one of Japan\u2019s most recognizable characters. Created by the local Kumamoto government to attract tourists to the area after the Kyushu Shinkansen line opened in 2010, the bear soon became popular nationwide. Sales of Kumamon merchandise have continued to rise in Japan and overseas, with total sales for 2011-2019 exceeding 8 billion dollars (Source: Kumamoto Daily Newspaper<\/a>). <\/p>\n\n\n\n Although these usage guidelines for Kumamon were put in place in 2014 and have been revised since, X user nuun recently brought them to the attention of Japanese X users. <\/p>\n\n\n\n