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Pokémon Lapras is Now an Official Tourist Ambassador in Japan

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    Step aside Pikachu and Eevee, there is a new official tourist ambassador in Japan — it is none other than the aquatic Pokemon Lapras.

    Yoshihiro Murai, the governor of Miyagi Prefecture, made an official introduction on stage last week, unveiling Lapras as an ambassador to help encourage tourists to visit the area as it recovers from the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami.

     

    After the warm introduction, Lapras posed for pictures with fans while accompanied by Miyagi’s tourism character, samurai rice ball Musubimaru, according to SoraNews24.

    A Lapras-themed pedal boat will become available at the Miyagi Michinoku Park lake on July 21, and at the Hanayama Aoshonen Ryokomura camping and outdoor activity area starting August 3.

    In addition to the pedal boat, inflatable Lapras swim toys will be available at 16 different public pools in Miyagi including the Akiuo Onsen hot spring resort area.

    Although Lapras has already been announced as Miyagi Prefecture’s tourism ambassador, the monster’s status as the official ambassador is not scheduled to start until October.

    Featured Image via YouTube / 仙台放送ニュースチャンネル (Left), Twitter / 214_momo (Right)

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