HIKAWA, KUMAMOTO PREF. ¨C Kumamon, the popular mascot of Kumamoto Prefecture, met with?children at an elementary school?on Sunday, after a powerful earthquake struck there late last month, giving them a brief moment of relief in the aftermath of the temblor.
Children at Ryuhoku Saibu Elementary School in Hikawa, a town hit hard by?the July 28 quake, cheered when Kumamon emerged from the school¡¯s main entrance, with some saying, ¡°Yes! It¡¯s Kumamon!¡±
Kumamon hugged and gave high fives to the children while handing out sweets and stickers. The mascot also waved to evacuees as the school has been serving as a shelter since the earthquake.
Kumamon was ¡°so cute. I¡¯m happy to meet him,¡± said Tenma Sassa, a 7-year-old first grader who often draws pictures of the mascot.
Kakeru Nagata, a 7-year-old classmate of Sassa, said that he?got to?touch?Kumamon¡¯s tail. ¡°His fluffy tail felt so nice,¡± he said with satisfaction.
Nagata¡¯s 48-year-old mother, Chihiro, said that their family is currently staying with relatives, as their house was destroyed by the earthquake.
¡°I¡¯m glad it helps my child get stress relief in his unfamiliar surroundings,¡± she said of the interaction with Kumamon.
The school visit marked the mascot¡¯s first activity after about three weeks of absence following the earthquake. To spread cheer, Kumamon will continue to visit evacuation centers and child care facilities in affected areas.
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