A sleepy finishing town named Obama in western Japan jumps on the bandwagon of Barack Obama's popularity
OBAMA, JAPAN MARCH 4, 2008 - A sleepy, depopulated rural town in western Japan is booming along with the rising popularity of U.S. presidential candidate Barack Obama as the town has launched various campaigns and products jumping on the "Obama" bandwagon.
Trying to boost its profile at home and abroad as a tourist attraction, Obama City has become Japan's leading cheerleaders for Barack Obama as the city and the U.S. presidential candidate happen to share the same name.
A pachinko pinball casino in Obama City held a special "Super Tuesday" event on Tuesday (March 4) to coincide with the Texas and Ohio primaries.
"I know from newspapers that the whole city of Obama is cheering for Mr. Obama, and I think many playing pachinko here like him, too," said Akio Miyagawa, an 80-year-old local farmer, who was playing at the pachinko casino whose name is "Daitoryo" or "President" in English.
Seiji Fujiwara, 55, runs a hotel in Obama City. He launched a local support group for Barack Obama about a month ago and now the group, backed by the local mayor, is getting nationwide - and even international - attention.
No one in his group is eligible to vote in the United States, but Fujiwara said his group has prepared Barack Obama posters, badges and T-shirts.
T-shirts are not for sale just yet, pending on Obama's permission for the use of their original Obama caricature and logo, Fujiwara said, and many local businesses are joining the movement.
A local chopstick workshop started making "Barack Obama chopsticks" with the area's proud and traditional lacquering technique, while a seafood shop has come up with an "Obama fish burger," which will be for sale in late March for 350 yen, or about $3.50 U.S. dollars.
A local sweet shop is also branding a Barack Obama logo on its sweet bean cakes.
About a year ago, the mayor of Obama sent a letter along with lacquered chopsticks as a gift to Obama.
Obama recently wrote back to the city, saying: "We share more than a common name; we share a common planet and common responsibilities," city officials said.
