Japan’s Leaders as Hello Kitty Characters

“Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, whose image graces goods ranging from posters to towels, appeared yesterday in yet another guise- paired with the hit feline cartoon character Hello Kitty. In the latest, and perhaps most bizarre, attempt to cash in on Mr Koizumi’s historically high popularity, manufacturer Sanrio began selling products featuring Hello Kitty animal characters that are being touted as caricatures of the prime minister and several key cabinet members. Sanrio spokesman Kazuhide Yoneyama said the concept was based on a fairy tale by the Brothers Grimm in which a horse, dog, hen and cat band together to outwit thieves and win a home. Mr Koizumi is the horse, Finance Minister Masajuro Shiokawa is the dog and Foreign Minister Makiko Tanaka is the hen. The cat, of course, is Hello Kitty herself.”

Source: HKiMail