Kumamon Brings Cheer to Quake-Hit Children

Hikawa, Kumamoto Pref., Aug. 17 (Jiji Press)–Kumamon, the popular mascot of Kumamoto Prefecture, interacted with children at an elementary school in the southwestern Japan prefecture on Sunday, after a powerful earthquake struck there late last month, giving them a brief moment of relief in the aftermath of the tremblor. Children at Ryuhoku Saibu Elementary School in Hikawa, a town hit hard in the July 28 earthquake, cheered when Kumamon emerged from the school’s main entrance, with some saying, “Yes! It’s Kumamon!” Kumamon hugged and gave high fives to the children while handing out sweets and stickers. The mascot also waved to evacuees as the school serves as a shelter after the earthquake. Kumamon was “so cute. I’m happy to meet him,” said Tenma Sassa, a 7-year-old first grader who often draws pictures of the mascot. Kakeru Nagata, a 7-year-old classmate of Sassa, said that he has touched Kumamon’s tail. “His fluffy tail felt so nice,” he said with satisfaction. Nagata’s 48-year-old mother, Chihiro, said that their family is currently staying with relatives, as their house was destroyed by the earthquake. “I’m glad it helps my child get stress relief in his unfamiliar surroundings,” she said of the interaction with Kumamon. The school visit marked the mascot’s first activity after about three weeks of absence following the earthquake. To spread cheer, Kumamon will continue to visit evacuation centers and child care facilities in affected areas. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]