Japan's New Ambassadors Inspired By Anime and Manga

by CheshireSin
Mar 13, 2009 1:55 AM | 26 Comments

Last year The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan chose Doraemon as an ambassador, this year it's three young women who represent the Kawaii culture. The Anime and Manga inspired couture the three will be sporting (all of which come from their own personal style) is that of a uniformed schoolgirl, a Victorian era ruffled doll and trendy Harajuku girl.

The "Kawaii" ambassadors:
Fujioka Shizuka (fashion model: Official blog)
Aoki Misako (fashion model: Official blog)
Kimura Yuu (singer: Official blog)

From Reuters: "It's all about mutual understanding," said Tsutomu Nakagawa, the head of the cultural affairs division at the Foreign Ministry, after presenting the three envoys to the foreign media. "We want people abroad to know these kind of people exist in Japan and to feel close to them."

They will give lectures about anime-derived fashion at Bangkok Japan Festa in March and Paris Japan Expo in July.

Source: Reuters *Picture of the three
Source: MOFA Japan

20 of 26 Comments Recent Comments

They could have chosen pretty ones.

Mar 24, 2009 12:29 AM by Kappaka

kiosy said:

Baby_Naruto said:
Now if only this trend would spread to America too, sigh :(.

Not just in America dude, but to other nations as well. :/

Japan.. Banzai! Banzai! They really love and support their culture. :p

I only care about my country, no offense.

OverChasm said:

Baby_Naruto said:
Now if only this trend would spread to America too, sigh :(.

America can't do it.

Hillbilly ambassadors?

What doe a hillbilly look like?

Kira said:

OverChasm said:

Baby_Naruto said:
Now if only this trend would spread to America too, sigh :(.

America can't do it.

Hilbilly ambassadors?

No, more like

They're not cool enough to wear that stuff.

Mar 22, 2009 12:04 AM by KidRyan

OverChasm said:

Baby_Naruto said:
Now if only this trend would spread to America too, sigh :(.

America can't do it.

Hilbilly ambassadors?

No, more like

Mar 17, 2009 6:10 AM by Kira

Baby_Naruto said:
Now if only this trend would spread to America too, sigh :(.

America can't do it.

Hilbilly ambassadors?

Mar 16, 2009 7:20 AM by Chimichoco

Baby_Naruto said:
Now if only this trend would spread to America too, sigh :(.

Not just in America dude, but to other nations as well. :/

Japan.. Banzai! Banzai! They really love and support their culture. :p

Mar 15, 2009 8:09 AM by kiosy

ukonkivi said:
Then what here has changed since the old Doraemon ambassador stuff?

Which I might add, seems like I read about two years ago.

Mar 15, 2009 2:41 AM by ukonkivi

I saw this story, with photos, cant remember where. Asahi or Mainichi news website. Hilarious.

Mar 15, 2009 1:13 AM by Beatnik

Japan is doomed.

Mar 15, 2009 12:45 AM by Neverender

Now if only this trend would spread to America too, sigh :(.

Mar 15, 2009 12:33 AM by KidRyan

Lmao, Japan.

Mar 14, 2009 12:39 PM by Kyora

Wait, this is new news?
Then what here has changed since the old Doraemon ambassador stuff?

Mar 13, 2009 8:11 PM by ukonkivi

I love this special method of diplomacy. It is rather unique..

Besides, the ambassadors are enjoying what they do. It's fun!

Mar 13, 2009 7:26 PM by Kira01

DaeScope said:
Is it just me but i don't think they look that good...

real life down to earth. nothing superficial about them. it would kind of defeat the purpose if they weren't the sort of people anyone could directly relate to. well at least the Japanese people.

well this kind of thing can only be found in Japan anyways so if its something the people of Japan can support, more power to them.

Mar 13, 2009 7:17 PM by kisami

They would look much better in 2d...... LOL

Mar 13, 2009 11:27 AM by DarkBlue

CheshireSin said:
"We want people abroad to know these kind of people exist in Japan and to feel close to them."
They will give lectures about anime-derived fashion at Bangkok Japan Festa in March and Paris Japan Expo in July.

What?! People like this really exist?! And they want to give us lectures?!

Mar 13, 2009 10:31 AM by HaiAlwaysHungry

DaeScope said:
Is it just me but i don't think they look that good...

yea..

Mar 13, 2009 7:38 AM by yunadestined

Cosplaying ambassadors? o3o

At least they're not fictional like Doraemon.

Mar 13, 2009 6:36 AM by Chimichoco

*Japan always seems to suprise me with what they do next...

Mar 13, 2009 6:32 AM by Hakua

Interesting....

Mar 13, 2009 6:21 AM by Cookie-chan-

Interesting idea, but to say it is a good idea.. no.