Updated at 2023-05-23
Kumamon is so popular worldwide thanks to the Kumamoto Prefectural Government's clever free licensing strategy. Agricultural and tourism vendors can simply submit an application to Kumamon on their products for free, significantly elevating product attractiveness and profitability. Since its launch in 2011, Kumamon has raked in over one trillion yen while propelling the formerly unpopular Kumamoto Prefecture into tourism stardom. The wine glass in the picture is engraved with cute caricatures of Kumamon. The bulkier Kumamon is standing and giggling while the smaller Kumamon is taking a step forward, tilting its head to seemingly say, "Follow me!"
Language: Japanese
Area: 7,409 square kilometers
Population: Approx. 1,700,000 people
Main Industries/Features: Its main industry is agriculture. It is famous for Mount Aso, which is the largest active volcano in Japan.