Suzanne visits the Kumamoto prefectural government office.

Suzanne reports on activities as Kumamoto PR ambassador

Friday 15th May, 05:30 AM JST

KUMAMOTO —

Television personality Suzanne made her first visit to the Kumamoto prefectural government office this week to report to Gov Ikuo Kabashima regarding the PR activities she has been involved in through March. The “talento,” who was born and raised in the prefecture, has represented Kumamoto as the head of prefectural public relations since last November.

While she seemed slightly nervous, Suzanne was greeted with applause from prefectural leaders at an extraordinary meeting held for the visit. Using a projector, she made a presentation regarding the marketing of Kumamoto-produced goods in Tokyo. The board was all ears, asking about which products would be most likely to sell in the nation’s capital. “Tomato ‘daifuku’ are really popular here, and I think they’d take off in Tokyo too,” she replied.

Gov Kabashima encouraged her to “knock down” Miyazaki Prefecture Gov Hideo Higashikokubaru, who has become a popular character nationwide while promoting his prefecture. Suzanne replied jokingly, “Well, well, it looks like you’ve got a rival!”

Suzanne added: “I want to work as a bridge between Kumamoto and the rest of the country.”

› Login to comment

Latest 15 of 16 Total Comments Show All

Betting at 10:19 AM JST - 15th May

"Tomato ‘daifuku’ are really popular here, and I think they’d take off in Tokyo too".

I can see the people of Kumamoto have really spent their money well.
noirgaijin at 10:35 AM JST - 15th May

???
techall at 11:37 AM JST - 15th May

I didn't know Kumamomo needed a bridge to connect it with the rest of the country. Are they at odds with the rest of Japan and developing nuclear weapons on their own?
beavis at 12:00 PM JST - 15th May

“Tomato ‘daifuku’ are really popular here, and I think they’d take off in Tokyo too.”

Does she get paid for this?
Richard_III at 12:06 PM JST - 15th May

Where is Kumamoto?
John Many Johns at 12:34 PM JST - 15th May

Kyushu.
blvtzpk at 01:34 PM JST - 15th May

Yes! Every prefecture needs to have a cute, cartoon mascot and a talento from the chat-yell-chat circuit. ;)
saitamakid at 01:51 PM JST - 15th May

kumamoto is one of the most beautiful prefectures ive visited so far. the black castle in kumamoto city is splendid, not to mention the super green surroundings of the aso national park! when my friend and i backpacked in the area, i thought i was out of japan! it just felt weird that such beautifully formed caldera is just miles away from the busy glitz of fukuoka! kumamoto needs better PR! hopefully, a smart and goodlooking, and not one of the other.
seesaw at 03:14 PM JST - 15th May

I'm not interested in who's the PR Ambassador is I'm just interested to go take pic of the Castle. I heard so much about it...:)
techall at 03:15 PM JST - 15th May

@saitamakid: Let's not forget Charlie Nagatani's annual COUNTRY GOLD outdoor concert. The ONLY one of it's kind in Japan and the only place to see top notch (and I mean top notch, Brad Paisley, George Strait, Driks Bently, Charlie Daniels to mention a few) country western stars.
Wakarimasen at 03:18 PM JST - 15th May

I think Kagoshima is nicer.....
nandakandamanda at 03:41 PM JST - 15th May

The famous writer Koizumo Yakumo was quite rude about Kumamoto and the people, possibly because he was comparing it to Matsue in Shimane. Kumamoto Castle was the former residence of the Lords Hosokawa of Higo. There are more splendid castles around, but if you know some of the history it certainly jacks up the interest factor. I have an Edo gun probably from the castle inventory. Many years ago on a visit, I was taken to a small restaurant in a side street below the castle and fed some suspicious strips of raw meat by a laughing American resident. 'Eat it first!' he said 'and then I'll tell you what it is!"
dennis0bauer at 03:54 PM JST - 15th May

Why not do away with politicians and only hire talento?
PaulieWalnuts at 10:02 AM JST - 16th May

Using a projector, she made a presentation regarding the marketing of Kumamoto-produced goods in Tokyo

using a projector eh? sounds like she knows what she's doing. did she show some photos of people buying tomato daifuku?
zaichik at 06:55 AM JST - 18th May

I love Kumamoto - spent a year there as a student in 95-96.

Many years ago on a visit, I was taken to a small restaurant in a side street below the castle and fed some suspicious strips of raw meat by a laughing American resident

Basashi - yum! (sorry, Cleo!)