"More milk, Mr. Ambassador?"
In their efforts to promote their own animation, Japan has appointed a cartoon cat to the newly created government post of Anime Ambassador. Japanese Foreign Minister Masahiko Komura recently appeared at an inauguration ceremony with Doraemon to present him with a certificate and a plate of the cat's favourite desserts - red bean pancakes.
"Doraemon," said Komura, "I hope you will travel around the world as Anime Ambassador to deepen people's understanding of Japan so they will become friends with Japan."
The blue and white feline accepted the position and spoke to Komura, with the help of a voice actress.
"Through my cartoons, I hope to convey to people abroad what ordinary Japanese people think, our lifestyles and what kind of future we want to build."
Last November, Astro Boy was named Ambassador for Overseas Safety.
