9:50 a.m. on a recent morning at the Tourism Division, Ota City Office, in Kamata, Ota City, Tokyo...
We visited the Tourism Division and were welcomed by “Hanepyon,” Ota City’s official PR character, whom we had arranged to sit down and chat with.
Hanepyon:I’ve never had an interview before, so I’m nervous.
Hanepyon first appeared in 2017 to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the establishment of Ota City.
Hanepyon’s mission is to show the world the charm of Ota City, which is home to Haneda Airport, a gateway to Japan by air, and to have as many people as possible visit Ota City.
We heard that Hanepyon’s becoming more and more famous within the city, but there is still a long way to go to reach the whole world.
After meeting with Hanepyon, we were about to start asking the questions we had prepared, but...
Interviewer:Hanepyon...
What is that thing on your shoulder?
Hanepyon:......! Um...just a second...
A sash on Hanepyon’s shoulder didn’t have anything on it. Hanepyon hurriedly turned it around.
On the sash, we now can see “Tourism PR Special Diplomat of Ota City.”
Hanepyon must have been very nervous, but acted as if nothing had happened.
As the sash says, Hanepyon was named a Tourism PR Special Diplomat of Ota City in 2018.
Interviewer:Why have you become a Tourism PR Special Diplomat of Ota City?
Hanepyon:I was born with the mission to communicate the charm of Ota City to the whole world!
That isn’t “why” it happened, but it was fate.
We understood it was not a coincidence, but it was inevitable.
Today, we have a great opportunity. We continued asking Hanepyon our questions.
Interviewer:How do you feel about Ota City?
Hanepyon:I’m so grateful for the people in Ota City who always root for me! I can’t thank them enough with words.
For those people in Ota City, I want to convey more and more of the charm of Ota City to everyone in the world!
Interviewer:Then, what is the charm of Ota City?
Hanepyon:There is too much to mention!
Hanepyon:There are parks filled with greenery, and there are temples and shrines rich with history.
Hanepyon:Our manufacturing technologies are world famous, and we have a lot of shopping districts, too!
Don’t forget that we have Haneda Airport, a gateway to Japan by air either!
Hanepyon:And...and...
Hanepyon chattered on with passionate thoughts about Ota City.
We might not have enough time at this rate...
It seemed as though Hanepyon read our mind from our concerned expression.
Hanepyon said, as if to sum up, “Ultimately...”
Hanepyon:And above all, everyone welcomes me with a warm smile everywhere I go!
Continuing on, we asked about the activities of a Tourism PR Special Diplomat of Ota City.
Interviewer:As the official PR character and Tourism PR Special Diplomat of Ota City, what kind of face would you like to show to everyone?
Hanepyon:I want to go everywhere and have everyone see me working hard on promotion so that lots and lots of people will say, “Ota City is a great place!” “I want to go to Ota City!” and “I love Ota City!”
Hanepyon:I want to make it so that Hanepyon equals Ota City, and Ota City equals Hanepyon!
Hanepyon has proactively been participating in events within and outside Ota City as a Tourism PR Special Diplomat of Ota City. Hanepyon has so far not only attended events within Ota City in order to mingle with the locals, but has also attended the biggest character event in Japan, The World Character Summit, and birthday parties of municipal mascots whom Hanepyon is friends with. As you can see, there is a wide scope of activities for Hanepyon.
Top left image: International City Ota Festival in Haneda
Top right image: Haneda Happy Halloween
Bottom left image: The World Character Summit in Hanyu
Bottom right image: Hasupy’s birthday party
Interviewer:What are the happiest moments you feel through being the official PR character and Tourism PR Special Diplomat of Ota City?
Hanepyon:When I’m walking around the city, people around me smile when they look at me and call my name.
Hanepyon:Many happy memories with people in the city are my treasures!
Seeing Hanepyon speak with a big smile, we could tell that this advocate for Ota city is loved by many people.
However, recently, due to the effects of COVID-19, many events have had to be canceled or postponed.
Hanepyon, who had plans to participate in many of them, is one of the many that was affected.
Interviewer:Lately, we’ve been in a difficult situation. What kind of activities do you have planned?
Hanepyon:Right now, I can’t go see everyone, so I’m planning to put more work into SNS and stuff like that. And I want to get to know everyone through that!
I will post my information and places with lots of Ota City charm on Twitter (@hanepyon_ota) and the official Ota City YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/user/cityota).
Interviewer:We’ve checked out your Twitter! You’re loved by everyone.
Hanepyon:I’m so thankful for everyone who’s been rooting for me. I’m so happy! But...
Hanepyon stopped for a moment, and then started talking again.
Hanepyon:I love everyone more than I’m loved!
Hanepyon’s true feelings were apparent to us through the sincerity of the statement.
We felt the atmosphere had gradually become more relaxed, so we decided to ask about Hanepyon’s personality.
Interviewer:What does everyone say about your personality?
Hanepyon:Clumsy comes to my mind.
I personally think I’m dependable, but I have made my share of blunders.
We have done our research, so we know that this has been pointed out on Twitter by followers.
Come to think of it, Hanepyon’s sash was inside out at the beginning...
Interviewer:What do you do on your days off?
Hanepyon:I go to sight-seeing spots in Ota City and eat lots of delicious food!
After a long walk, I go to a public bath to wash away my fatigue.
Ota City has a large number of shopping districts and public baths. This is definitely a distinctive way to spend a day in Ota City. Hanepyon does not hold the title of Tourism PR Special Diplomat of Ota City for nothing. Hanepyon knows the area inside and out.
But...we just thought of something.
How many towels does Hanepyon need to dry off?
Is Hanepyon’s back out of reach with a towel?
Hanepyon:What’s wrong?
Interviewer:Oh, um...nothing.
There are endless questions, but let’s not go there.
Interviewer:You’re friendly with other municipal mascots.
Do you have any close friends?
Hanepyon:My close friends are Unari-kun of Narita City and Tokoron of Tokorozawa City, who are both members of Hikokizu, Hasupy of Hasuda City, and Daikonchama, an unofficial mascot of Ota City.
I want to make more and more friends, so municipal mascots from all over Japan, please be friends with me!
The music group, Shikuramen, who are also Tourism PR Special Diplomats for Ota City are also my good friends. They’ve invited me to their concert...
and we even created a tourism PR song and music video together! The song has a lot of Ota City charm, so please listen to it!
Interviewer:Actually, we have received some comments for this article from people you have encountered in your work.
Hanepyon:Really? I’m so happy! Thank you for everyone that has sent comments!
For this article, everyone was happy to send us comments.
Not to repeat ourselves, but this is the proof that Hanepyon is loved day in day out.
Interviewer:First, let us start with a comment from the mayor of Ota City, Tadayoshi Matsubara.
■ Tadayoshi Matsubara, Mayor of Ota City
“I (as a father) am very happy to see Hanepyon, who was born to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the establishment of Ota City, make appearances in various places (within or outside Ota City) and loved by everyone from small children to the elderly. I believe Hanepyon will form strong bonds with many people and those mascot friends, and will spread the charm of Ota City far and wide. I’m counting on you, Hanepyon!”
■ Shikuramen, Artist/Tourism PR Special Diplomats of Ota City
“We’ve worked with Hanepyon many times in the past. Hanepyon is so popular that we get jealous! (laughs)
Hanepyon’s bright smile and cheery and energetic personality makes everyone happy ♪
We love Hanepyon, too!”
■Hikokizu
This is a group made up of mascot characters modeled from airplanes in 2018 when they met at a character event.
Tokoron named the group on Twitter.
Unari-kun (center/tourism character of Narita City)
“I’ve participated in various events with Hanepyon as part of Hikokizu, and I really think our colors are well balanced when we line up. We look great together!
Hanepyon is also so kind to have created a wallpaper of us. I bet Hanepyon still has a few tricks left that will surprise us!”
Tokoron (left/image mascot of Tokorozawa City)
“When I first met Hanepyon, I knew we would be good friends! I just had that feeling! I’m so happy that we formed Hikokizu with Hanepyon and Unari-kun ♪
Hanepyon is so stylish, cute, and fashionable!
Let’s keep at it as members of Hikokizu ♪”
■Hasupy, mascot character of Hasuda City
“Hanepyon and I are very good friends! Ota City and Hasuda City are very far, so we barely get to see each other, but because of it, we’re so happy when we meet! I’m so happy that we became great friends through a lot of common ground! Hanepyon’s my cherished friend!
Let’s keep making more and more memories! Hanepyon told me all about the charm of Ota City and I got to know more about the city!
I love Hanepyon, and everyone else does, too! Let’s go out again soon ☆”
Hanepyon:Ota City Mayor is like my dad. He’s always watching over me and cheering me. Shikuramen are my handsome brothers and I’m so proud of them!
Unari-kun and Tokoron, who I work with as Hikokizu, and Hasupy, my good friend I often see at events, thank you all for the comments! Let’s play again soon! ♩
Interviewer:Last but not least, a certain person who also works in the interest of Ota City and can be considered one of Hanepyon’s best friends, sent us a comment!
■Daikonchama, unofficial municipal mascot of Ota City
“Because there are no events lately, we haven’t seen each other and so I miss Hanepyon. We have been working in Ota City together. Lots and lots of memories are in my heart.
So let’s hold hands and keep creating many new smiles in the future, too.
I heard you’re being interviewed today. So I’m gonna go see you now! I’ll be right there, so just wait!”
Hanepyon:What?! Whaaat? What does that mean, he’s gonna see me now?
Hanepyon:...behind me? Whoa, whoa!
Hanepyon:Daikonchama! Why are you here?!
Daikonchama:A successful surprise! So much success!
Hanepyon:Wow, you surprised me!
Daikonchama: There is no way that I, your best friend, wouldn’t want to be there for a big moment like your solo interview, Hanepyon!
Hanepyon:I didn’t think you’d go to all that trouble. I’m so surprised! But I’m so happy at the same time!
Daikonchama:Let’s join our forces to hype up Ota City for years to come!
Amidst the restrictions to all kinds of activities due to the spread of COVID-19, for Hanepyon, who hadn’t seen Daikonchama in a while, his surprise visit was a very good surprise.
To wrap up the interview, we asked Hanepyon, who was happily jumping up and down with Daikonchama.
Interviewer:What is your dream, Hanepyon?
Hanepyon:My dream is for everyone in the world to love Ota City!
Hanepyon:And for that, we have lots of work to do.
I will continue to work to deliver smiles to everyone!
Hanepyon answered with confidence.
We wondered what kind of activities Hanepyon will take part in in the future...
Hanepyon’s back looked very dependable.
We thought to ourselves that we would keep an eye on Hanepyon’s progress.
To be continued...?
