Japanese prison adopts mascot
A Japanese prison has adopted a cuddly, six-foot mascot in an attempt to soften its image.
Japan's Asahikwa prison has unveiled their six foot mascot, Katakkuri-chan
By Jocelyn Spottiswoode
1:14PM BST 12 Sep 2013
Katakkuri-chan, available in both a male and female version, sports a prison warden’s uniform and hair made of a giant purple flower.
Asahikwa prison, regarded as one of the country’s most forbidding jails, is about 500 miles north of Tokyo.
Officials have said that they wish to change the prison’s dark, isolated and imposing image.
They are hoping that the mascot will persuade nearby residents to see the prison as a place to help ease people back into society.
An Asahikwa prison spokesman said: “Of course, prisons are for people who have committed crimes and people tend to consider them unwelcome in their neighbourhood.
“But society has to play its part in supporting the rehabilitation of people who have served their time.”
Human rights campaigners have previously complained that prison conditions in Japan are much harsher than a cuddly mascot would imply.
Katakkuri-chan was unveiled at the prison’s ‘weekend fair’ where thousands of visitors were able to meet and greet the new mascot.
Cuddly life size mascots are popular in Japan and are used to promote, amongst other things, foods, animals, brands, and industries.
