InsideJapan News Network
Monday,
12th
January
2009
In General Japan News,
In General Japan News,
Obama masks 'in demand'
The popularity of the US president-elect in Japan seems to be on the increase, if sales of Obama masks are anything to go by.
Ogawa Rubber, the country's foremost rubber mask producers, has seen a surge in demand for the masks ahead of Barack Obama's inauguration on January 20th.
Takahiro Yagihara, chief creator at the company, told Japan Today: "We sold as many as 2,500 faces of Obama in a month. It was a great hit for us.
"I've seen a couple of Obama faces made in the United States, but ours is the best. We hope somebody will don our Obama mask at his inauguration."
Other popular masks sold by the firm include ones depicting sumo wrestlers, cartoon characters and the Buddha.
Among its most successful masks featured the face of former Japanese prime minister Junichiro Koizumi, which sold 3,500 units.
One of the places where Mr Obama's mask is undoubtedly popular is the city of Obama in fukui Prefecture, where T-shirts celebrating his candidacy and subsequent victory have been on sale.
Related news stories:
Japan's Obama backs namesake in US presidential race (4th September 2008)
Japanese community celebrates Obama's historic win (6th November 2008)
Japanese city 'rejoices' over Obama (21st May 2008)
Obama criticised over Emperor bow (16th November 2009)
Ogawa Rubber, the country's foremost rubber mask producers, has seen a surge in demand for the masks ahead of Barack Obama's inauguration on January 20th.
Takahiro Yagihara, chief creator at the company, told Japan Today: "We sold as many as 2,500 faces of Obama in a month. It was a great hit for us.
"I've seen a couple of Obama faces made in the United States, but ours is the best. We hope somebody will don our Obama mask at his inauguration."
Other popular masks sold by the firm include ones depicting sumo wrestlers, cartoon characters and the Buddha.
Among its most successful masks featured the face of former Japanese prime minister Junichiro Koizumi, which sold 3,500 units.
One of the places where Mr Obama's mask is undoubtedly popular is the city of Obama in fukui Prefecture, where T-shirts celebrating his candidacy and subsequent victory have been on sale.
Related news stories:
Japan's Obama backs namesake in US presidential race (4th September 2008)
Japanese community celebrates Obama's historic win (6th November 2008)
Japanese city 'rejoices' over Obama (21st May 2008)
Obama criticised over Emperor bow (16th November 2009)
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