Kumamon visits quake-hit children’s school to spread cheer

HIKAWA, KUMAMOTO PREF. – Kumamon, the beloved mascot from Kumamoto Prefecture, paid a visit to an elementary school on Sunday following a devastating earthquake that struck the area just last month. The school, Ryuhoku Saibu Elementary School in Hikawa, had experienced significant damage due to the July 28 quake. Children at the school were overjoyed when Kumamon appeared at the main entrance, with some children shouting, “Yes! It's Kumamon!”

The friendly mascot greeted the children by hugging them, giving high fives, and handing out sweets and stickers. Kumamon also waved to evacuees, as the school had been serving as a temporary shelter for displaced families since the disaster. Tenma Sassa, a 7-year-old first grader, expressed her happiness, saying, "Kumamon is so cute.

I'm glad to meet him." Her classmate Kakeru Nagata, also 7, mentioned that he had the chance to touch Kumamon's fluffy tail, describing it as "nice." Nagata's mother, Chihiro, who is 48, shared that their family was staying with relatives because their house had been destroyed by the earthquake. She felt that the meeting with Kumamon was providing stress relief for her child in his unfamiliar surroundings.

This visit marked Kumamon's first activity since a three-week absence following the earthquake. To continue spreading cheer, Kumamon will visit evacuation centers and child care facilities in the affected areas.