Japan appoints its first cartoon ambassador

Foreign Minister Mashiko Komura appoints anime
character Doraemon anime ambassador.

TOKYO (AP) -- Japan has created an unusual government post to promote animation, and named a perfect figure Wednesday to the position: Doraemon.

Foreign Minister Masahiko Komura appointed the popular cartoon robot cat as "anime ambassador," handing a human-sized Doraemon doll an official certificate at an inauguration ceremony, along with dozens of "dorayaki" red bean pancakes — his favorite dessert — piled on a huge plate. full story