Hello Kitty serves as hometown ambassador for Kofu City, Japan to promote the city's charm

According to Japan's Mainichi Shimbun, Hello Kitty, a popular character from Sanrio, has now served as the "Kofu Hometown Ambassador" of Kofu City, Japan. She was appointed because Sanrio's founder Shintaro Tsuji is from Kofu City. This is also the first time the city has appointed a fictional character as a public relations ambassador.

Kofu City is located in Yamanashi Prefecture and is famous for its crystal grinding and carving techniques. Kofu City deliberately designed Hello Kitty's hairpin in the "Kofu Hometown Ambassador" promotional image into a diamond shape , and let Hello Kitty carry a wallet shaped like Mount Fuji to promote the local crystal industry and the city's image. In addition, they also let the promotional image be used in thank-you letters to people who donate "hometown tax" to the city, as well as job fair flyers for foreigners and other purposes.