Japanese Foreign Minister Masahiko Komura has just announced the latest addition to his diplomatic corps: Doraemon, Ambassador for Animation. "I hope you will travel around the world," Komura told the new envoy, "to deepen people's understanding of Japan so they will become friends with Japan."Doraemon, the smiling blue "cultural icon" at left (image credit), has 9 lives of anime experience that have well prepared him for that task:
The robotic cat travels back in time from the 22nd century and uses gadgets such as a 'time machine' and an 'anywhere door' that come out of a fourth-dimensional pocket on his stomach to help his friends, allowing them to travel anywhere and to any time they wish.If the California 4th graders I know are any measure, Japan's newest ambassador is sure to be a hit with everyone who is 10 years old or 10 at heart.
