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© KYODOPopular mascot Kumamon to change its official Chinese name
KUMAMOTO©2024 GPlusMedia Inc.
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© KYODO
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Laguna
Mark, I volunteer for a Facebook page, Kumamoto International, that you two might be interested in. The other day, I wrote about this issue in more detail. https://www.facebook.com/Kumamotoi/?ref=aymt_homepage_panel&eid=ARCKCCbqmjgpMpbx6dGZWcD-03RI4DBIL0ows9bqCN4PW6UF0mEpR-NcnGfMVQs_4D-LwDsG-vpEaPX2
Alexandre T. Ishii
The new name, pronounced "xiong-ben-xiong" in Mandarin and "hung-bun-hung" , those both sound "stinky" in Japanese.
juminRhee
Ah, the choice between approximating pronunciation or original meaning. Instead of マクドナルド (McDonald's), it would be 高長の子息 (Chouchou no shisoku, or high chief's [Donald's] son. Instead of KFC (Kentucky fried chicken), it would be 明日の焼鶏(ashita-chi yakikake, or land of tomorrow's [Kentucky's] fried chicken). Don't know which is easier...
Goodlucktoyou
Love Kumamoto. Hope the name change will bring more tourist from China.
Boni Wa Alakonya
I wouldn't try to say kuma moto in Tanzania. It means hot female privates. Somebody should change that already.
Ricky Kaminski13
I just love the name Hung Bun.
KnowBetter
There's a waste of money right there. As if Chinese give a bear's bun about intellectual property rights.
Mark Kazuo Bradley
Aloha. My wife is from Kumamoto, and we return home quite often. As a foreigner, I have come to feel very fond of Kumamoto. The natural environmental beauty of Kumamoto is enhanced by the beautiful spirit of the people of Kumamoto. Towards this end, Kumamon is a great symbol for the people of Kumamoto.
Mahalo,
Mark Kazuo Bradley, Honolulu, Hawaii.
Yubaru
Totally agree! Of all the characters that haunt this country this one I find myself liking the most, particularly because the prefecture allows anyone and everyone to use the iconic symbol for free!