Japanese carrier launches airplane with popular bear mascot Kumamon

KUMAMOTO (Japan) — A special airplane with images of Kumamoto Prefecture’s popular black bear mascot Kumamon on its fuselage began operations on Tuesday (July 26) with the aim of supporting reconstruction from a series of strong quakes that hit the southwestern prefecture in April.

The Boeing 737 airplane operated by low-cost Japanese carrier Solaseed Air Inc arrived at Kumamoto airport from Tokyo’s Haneda at about 8.50am.

The plane’s front entrance bears an illustration of Kumamon waving a flag, while the rear part of the plane has an image of Kumamon’s smiling face on both sides.

Among the 111 passengers on board the first plane, who were served by cabin attendants wearing aprons with a Kumamon design, a 39-year-old woman from Chofu city in western Tokyo said, “I hope Kumamoto will be revitalised soon.”

Kumamon, a round-faced bear about 1.5m tall tasked with promoting tourism and local products, has become a hugely popular symbol for the prefecture. In 2011, he was voted the most popular mascot in a nationwide character competition.

Solaseed Air, which operates flights on 10 routes in Japan including one connecting Oita with Tokyo, plans to continue the special Kumamon flights on all its routes for two or three years.

Hiroshi Takahashi, president of Solaseed Air, said, “We hope to convey the message that we want as many people as possible to come to Kumamoto and see its reconstruction.” KYODO NEWS