(With Photo) TOKYO, March 19 (KUNA) -- The Japanese Foreign Ministry officially appointed the cartoon cat Doraemon as the nation's first "anime ambassador" on Wednesday, in a bid to promote Tokyo's diplomacy through animation industry.
At a ceremony held in the ministry, Foreign Minister Masahiko Komura handed an official assignment letter to the blue-and-white robotic cat, together with dozens of his favorite Dorayaki (red bean pancakes).
"I wish people around the world to know more about the positive side of Japan through Japanese anime that are universally popular," Komura told Doraemon. "I hope you, as the Anime Ambassador, will travel around the world to introduce Japan." In response, Doraemon said through a voice actress, "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." The ministry plans to arrange films to be shown at Japanese diplomatic missions with the aim of boosting the overseas promotion of country's culture, lifestyle and customs. Doraemon is the main character in an animation series which is very popular in Japan and many other parts of Asia. The robotic cat travels back in time from the 22nd century and uses various tools and gadgets from his fourth-dimensional pocket to help out a schoolboy. Doraemon's most well-know devices are "anywhere door," which allows his friends to travel wherever they want, and "time machine." (end) mk.bz.
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