TOKYO - A park featuring popular Japanese character Monchhichi has opened in the character’s birthplace of Katsushika Ward, Tokyo.
Toy maker Sekiguchi Co., which is based in the ward, began selling Monchhichi stuffed toys in 1974. The character soon became popular and a total of 70 million stuffed toys have been sold in more than 30 countries.
The ward purchased the firm’s old factory site in 2011 to turn it into a park and a local disaster prevention center. The park was named Monchhichi Park based on requests from local residents.
Two Monchhichi characters are depicted in red bricks on the ground in a paved corner of the park. They can also be seen on an exterior wall of a public toilet and on a signboard.
The opening ceremony for the park was held Saturday and attended by Sekiguchi Chairman Koichi Sekiguchi, along with about 300 people including local children.
“I want this park and the character to be loved for a long time,” said Sekiguchi, 80.
