Ayaka Umeda and Tokyo Tower’s mascot

AKB48's Umeda named Tokyo Tower image girl

Sunday 05th April, 04:00 AM JST

TOKYO —

Ayaka Umeda, 20, a member of the idol group AKB48, has been named the Tokyo Tower image girl for 2009. At the inaugural ceremony, held on Tokyo Tower’s observation deck, Umeda admitted that, before her AKB48 audition, she had come to the shrine inside the tower and prayed in hopes of passing.

She received the title from her predecessor, fellow AKB48 member 23 year-old Ayumi Orii. Umeda said she hopes to have the lighting she has designed decorating the tower. Organizers said there are plans for the lighting to be used during Tokyo Tower illumination and other events.

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Latest 15 of 20 Total Comments Show All

PaulieWalnuts at 01:01 PM JST - 5th April

I've seen toys of that mascot I'm pretty sure. battery powered ones that wobble around
bdiego at 02:29 PM JST - 5th April

I've seen miniature versions of this mascot too, all colors.
blvtzpk at 04:43 PM JST - 5th April

The creator of 'Bananas in Pajamas' should sue.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJkPWMaNaIM

This look suspiciously like a pink version of B1 (or was it B2?).
Disillusioned at 05:51 PM JST - 5th April

Why are the advertising campaigns so childish in this country? Is there a lack of maturity in the general population? Sorry, stupid question. A quick flick through the channels and 'talento' shows will answer that question.
techall at 06:51 PM JST - 5th April

What size batteries does it take???
smithinjapan at 09:10 PM JST - 5th April

Sorry... but this does NOT look like a tower, it looks like... well... seems others get the picture. The poor girl. Anyway, is this one of those boy/girl bands that has 12 people who cannot sing on their own, dance, or play any instruments (or write the lyrics)?
saborichan at 09:52 PM JST - 5th April

Yah, that mascot has been around for years. I must ask my Japanese friends what they think.
European1 at 11:13 PM JST - 5th April

I wrote in one of thread a while ago. Japan is like a communistic (it is) land. Almost the same as N.K. but with less parade. They always have these 12 y.o. (Upsss...she is 20) kids as ambassadors of something. Ambassador of oldies, now towers, next unfriendly for moms and granny buses, trains and so on. So, my question is: what is her role? hanging at the tower?
thethudelh at 01:16 AM JST - 6th April

The mascot is kind of obscene...What is it supposed to be.
Sarge at 02:36 AM JST - 6th April

"she had come to the shrine inside the tower and prayed in hopes of passing"

Passing away or just passing out?
techall at 03:08 AM JST - 6th April

Hye, maybe it's a pink North Korean rocket!!!
marvenp at 02:34 PM JST - 6th April

Mascot looks like a big penis. Who thought of this ridiculous design and is that the best they could come up with? Jeez!
Yelnats at 02:58 PM JST - 6th April

Phallic Mascot.
Altria at 03:04 PM JST - 6th April

Looks like a giant TaepoDONG
kirakira25 at 04:57 PM JST - 7th April

Ooh! The first Japanese mascot I`ve ever taken an interest in!