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Kumamon demoted for being too fat

31 Comments

Kumamon, the popular black bear mascot of Kumamoto Prefecture, has been demoted for being too fat.

The mascot, created as a prefectural tourism campaign, had been on what was described as a "diet" since October 2014 after Kumamoto Governor Ikuo Kabashima pointed out that it was too fat.

As of Tuesday, it was "demoted" from sales manager to assistant sales manager for failing to lose weight, TV Kumamoto reported.

Kumamon is Japan's most well-known mascot and in 2014, generated 64.3 billion yen in sales of products featuring it. Kumamon’s promotional team receives around 400 applications a month to put the character’s image on various Kumamoto products.

Kumamon currently appears on around 8,200 items, including foodstuffs, accessories and ornaments.

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31 Comments
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ri-di-cu-lous!

5 ( +7 / -2 )

Poor bear.. So hungry

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Black bear fat is worth a fortune in China and Vietnam; it's medicinal. Kumamon should keep a low profile till he loses a few stone....

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Huh, so there is racism, sexism, ageism, and now weight-ism.

Keep your head up, Kumamon. You don't need anyone who judges you!

5 ( +8 / -3 )

Isn't this a mascot? Does it actually have a job? Can anybody (anything) actually be demoted for being overweight? This is just as dumb as the fascination with this mascot.

-1 ( +5 / -6 )

@Disillusioned

Hook, line and sinker....

They must have seen you coming ; )

1 ( +3 / -2 )

As of Tuesday, it was “demoted” from sales manager to assistant sales manager for failing to lose weight, TV Kumamoto reported.

Is this real life?

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Well, it is spring. Bears do need fat for hibernation. But wait, Kumamon didn't hibernate?

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Shut up, Kabashima. You have other things to worry about than your prefecture's extremely popular mascot.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

It is not fat, it is big. Bears are supposed to be big. Bears are just big.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

It looks like Funassyi raised the bar for healthy mascots. None of them can jump higher than our little yellow friend.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

For being too fat - haha!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

http://www.bbc.com/news/health-29155765

Making people feel ashamed about obesity could lead them to gain weight, not lose it, suggests University College London.

So, Kumamoto Prefecture is telling it's overweight citizens, lose weight or else you can lose your job, then money, and we'll shame you publicly.

Weigh to go, Kumamoto!

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Childish nonsense.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Kumamon's had too many Funassyi dinners.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Brilliant bit of marketing. Got more coverage, comment, and engagement. This is far from 'serious' and the Kumamon team must be rubbing their hands. 64B¥ in sales and counting. More people will get to know about him. Maybe it's the start of his training for the Olympics... He's going to have to compete with the 2020 Mascot I'm sure!

7 ( +7 / -0 )

For god's sake... it's a bloody mascot. Some people have too much time on their hands if that's what worries them!

0 ( +1 / -1 )

A good diet for Kumamon could save a lot of ink.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

By North American standards he is on the slim side of chubby.

Some say this is good advertising, but I can't help but feel this is taking a stab at the golden goose.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Not fat. (like Cartman) He's big-boned.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Clearly a success in Governor Kabashima's campaign to eradicate joy and smiles.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

What ever happened to Japan? What a mess.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

It's all the love it receives! It's got to go somewhere-the waist!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Did Governor get permission from Former PM whose family owned Entire Kumamoto before Meiji Ishin? Kuma is not a symbol of fat. Now only Kumamoto Castle is left for its symbol, Maybe this Governor hated increasing tourism?

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

Fat shaming hits Japan! Super pochaco is worried! :P

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Haha are they referring to the mascot or the poor sap stuck inside that thing LOL!!

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Wait until he tries to join the Air Force. If his waist exceeds one meter (39.4 inches), he fails the PT no matter what else he does. Gomenasai!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Why Japanese people! Why! This is discrimination. It must be the person inside, as this mascot is no fatter than the others. If you're fat, you're not welcome to the frat, get your tummy flat.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Poor Kumamon. This is only the start, next they will strip Kumamon of the "Fat Black Bear Tag" because of political correctness. They will replace Kumamon with a slim black bear in a pink business shirt and steel grey tie. When I was a child a TV station total bared a Mascot name FAT CAT from any form of media entertainment. We were told by media release that Fat Cat had been remove form any of work with the TV station due to political correctness.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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