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Inauguration
Ceremony of Anime Ambassador
March 19, 2008
1. On March 19 (Wed), the inauguration ceremony of the Anime Ambassador took
place at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Mr. Masahiko Koumura, Minister
for Foreign Affairs, handed Doraemon a letter of
assignment to inaugurate the character as Anime Ambassador.
2. Then Mr. Koumura told Doraemon that he wished
people around the world to know more about the positive side of Japan through
Japanese anime that are universally popular, and he hoped Doraemon,
as the Anime Ambassador, would travel around the world to introduce Japan.
3. In response, Doraemon said, "I hope through
my cartoons I will be able to convey to people overseas what ordinary Japanese
people are thinking, what sort of life we are leading and what sort of future
we are trying to create!"
http://www.mofa.go.jp/announce/announce/2008/3/0319-3.html
Published on The
Brunei Times (http://www.bt.com.bn/en)
Doraemon made 'anime' attache
Doraemon: New
Japanese ambassador. Picture: AFP
TOKYO
Saturday, March
15, 2008
JAPAN'S newest
ambassador might be among the most listened to in the diplomatic corps, even if
he has no ears himself.
The foreign ministry said yesterday it was appointing the cartoon cat Doraemon
as the nation's first "anime ambassador", in Japan's latest effort to
promote its soft power through its animation industry.
Doraemon or at least a person dressed as the earless, blue-and-white cat will
receive his official assignment letter on Wednesday.
The character will appear in films to be shown in Japanese missions overseas,
talking about the country's lifestyle and customs.
"By appointing Doraemon, we hope people in other countries will understand
Japanese anime better and deepen their interest in the culture," said Yuko
Hotta, a foreign ministry official.
Created by a cartoonist under the penname Fujiko F Fujio, Doraemon is the main
character in an animation series that is among the most popular in Japan and
widely known in much of Asia.
The friendly cat travels back to the present from the 22nd century to help out
a schoolboy with his many futuristic gadgets.
The government has been trying to turn growing worldwide interest in its anime
cartoons, manga comics and cuisine into political capital with a campaign
promoting "Cool Japan". AFP
Source
URL:
http://www.bt.com.bn/en/en/entertainment/2008/03/15/doraemon_made_anime_attache