doraemon

NEWSPAPER CLASS

Doraemon sworn in as anime ambassador
The Yomiuri Shimbun
In a bid to help boost Japan's international prestige and disseminate its culture, cartoon character Doraemon was inaugurated Wednesday as the official cultural ambassador for Japanese anime.
Cartoon character Doraemon is a catlike robot from the 22nd century and is considered a Japanese cultural icon.
The post of cultural ambassador for Japanese anime was established by the Foreign Ministry as part of diplomatic measures to foster cultural exchanges with other countries.
A human-sized likeness of Doraemon will participate in events hosted by overseas embassies and other diplomatic establishments to help introduce Japanese society and culture.
Such likenesses – in which actors wear a full-body costume – of Doraemon and his friend Nobita participated in the inauguration ceremony held at the ministry on Wednesday. Foreign Minister Masahiko Komura handed Doraemon a letter and a dorayaki bean-jam pancake – Doraemon's favourite food.
"Please work hard to let people around the world learn more about Japan and encourage people to foster friendships with each other," Komura said.
Doraemon replied by saying: "It's an honour to do such an important job. I'll work as hard as I can."
By a curious coincidence, Nobita and Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda have a connection: In China, the same kanji are used to write Nobita and Yasuo. Web sites featuring juxtaposed pictures of Fukuda and Nobita reportedly receive a lot of hits.
In cartoons and comics, Doraemon produces magical objects from his pocket to help Nobita when he runs into trouble. Perhaps Fukuda wishes he had a similar friend to help him with the problems he encounters while running the government.

VOCABULARY
swear in admit someone to an office or position by directing them to take a formal oath.
anime: a style of animation that originated in Japan, characterised by stark colourful graphics, depicting characters in action-filled plots.
boost help or encourage (something) to increase or improve.
prestige widespread respect and admiration felt for someone or something on the basis of their achievements or quality.
disseminate spread or disperse something, especially information, widely.
inaugurate begin or introduce (a system, policy, or period.
icon a person or thing regarded as a representative symbol of something.
foster encourage or promote the development of something.
curious (coincidence) strange or unusual.
juxtapose place close together for contrasting effect.
run into trouble have difficulties or problems