In cute-crazed Japan, mascots go beyond sports to represent (and soften the images of) everything from the nuclear industry to the Self-Defense Forces. Born to promote Kumamoto’s bullet train, the rosy-cheeked bear Kumamon has raked in billions of yen by endorsing airlines, snacks and cellphone cases. Having previously “lectured” at Harvard and walked the red carpet at Cannes, Kumamon lands in SA as guest of honor at Imagine Japan — a kid-friendly event with food booths, karaoke, martial-arts demos, a cosplay fashion show and live music by Austin-based video-game tribute band The Returners.

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