Japan’s Defense and its Lolita Spokesperson
Its very interesing how Japan’s defence ministry uses a cute lolita dressed as a maid with a hawkish stuffed teddy bear to give a simple explanation of Japan’s defense policies.
Apparently, there seems to be a rising trend in government agencies using kawaii loli characters to promote their activities in recent years. The one that actually drew most attention amongst the otaku community is the publication by the Defense Ministry. In the “Manga de Yomu Boeisho Hakusho (Defense Ministry White Papers in Manga)” series printed in 2005, a little girl wearing “Lolita” fashions and an apron is involved in exchanges — sometimes violently — with a hawkish stuffed teddy bear as they rumble over the way Japan should defend itself.
News of the story spread through Japan’s Internet and by word of mouth and turned the manga into a hit, with second and third editions hitting the bookstores rapidly. Its so popular that now they have release a new edition.
The new book “Heiwa no Kuni no Nebaarando (The Neverland of the Peaceful Country)” has also proved to be as popular as its predecessor, with sales going well since its January release.
Its obvious that the Japanese Defence Ministry is trying to make use of the “cute-ness” to convince people that military issues are actually fun and easy to relate to.
Now all we need is for Haruhi-sama to run for prime minister =P
Not quite cute enough if you ask me. but whatever works huh
Real messed up :V
There’s been a rise in Japanese nationalism. Using otaku-related objects is just their latest attempt of trying to make the issue easier to swallow.
I’m just waiting for them to put Haruhi in the WWII Imperial Japanese army uniform and draw her making a salute to the emperor of the sun (thinking how the Enka version of the “Imperial March” would go).
Of course I’m joking in the second paragraph. XD
What’s the defense ministry thinking…no panty shots?
if only we had such stuff, that will make national service a bit less dreaded xD
[...] using elements of popular culture to attract youth audience. For instance, they previously used a loli spokesperson for their ministry. This time round they are using the best icon of all: [...]