Japan’s Shizuoka unveils mascots, invites Taiwanese public to name Fuji-kun and Chatao-tei

Reported by You Tzu-ju / Taipei

The mascots exclusively representing Japan’s Shizuoka Prefecture were born this year (102). Energetic and charismatic, Mt. Fuji-kun and Chatao-tei are brothers. The Shizuoka Prefectural Government Office in Taiwan is specially inviting Taiwanese people to name the two mascots. The top two submissions that are selected will win great prizes such as round-trip flight tickets between Taipei and Shizuoka, and accommodation vouchers at a hot spring hotel on the Izu Peninsula.


▲ Shizuoka is a longevity haven filled with the fragrance of tea, thanks to its abundant production of green tea. (Photo / File photo)

Shizuoka is home to Japan’s highest mountain, Mt. Fuji, its deepest bay, Suruga Bay, and is the birthplace of the beloved characters Sazae-san and Gundam. It is also a longevity haven filled with the fragrance of tea due to its abundant production of green tea. In hopes of helping the Taiwanese public get to know Shizuoka better through the cute and lively images of the mascot brothers, this “Creative Naming Contest” runs from now until December 31. The first-place winner will receive a pair of round-trip flight tickets between Taipei and Shizuoka worth approximately 27,000 yen, while the second-place winner will receive a pair of accommodation vouchers for a premium hot spring hotel on the Izu Peninsula in Shizuoka worth approximately 12,000 yen. Entries can be submitted via the event website of the Shizuoka Prefectural Government Office in Taiwan — “The Country of Mt. Fuji, Shizuoka.”http://www.shizuoka.org.tw/event/name/index.aspx.