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2026 May 13 - 19 TOP3 [SOCIAL ISSUES]

Hello Kitty sows seeds of peace in 130 countries and regions

Akahata ‘current’ column (excerpts)

Her face has no mouth. The message is that kindness and compassion are expressed not just through words, but through attitude. She is Hello Kitty, who was born in Japan and is said to have popularized the “kawaii” (cute) culture around the world.

The concept of “kawaii” is based on the philosophy of Tsuji Shintaro, the founder of Sanrio Company, Ltd., who lived through WWII and believes that “the whole world can live together in harmony and peace.”

One month before the end of the war, Tsuji, then a college student, experienced a U.S. air raid while visiting his family home in Kofu City in Yamanashi Prefecture. He witnessed the tragedy firsthand as he fled through the city in flames where many people lost their lives. He was told that death and destruction were unavoidable because that was the nature of war.

Many of those who rose from the postwar ruins to start businesses wanted to contribute to building a peaceful nation. This sentiment is reflected in the pacifist spirit of the postwar Constitution.

However, the current government led by Prime Minister Takaichi prioritizes a strong economy above all else and has even lifted the ban on arms exports, despite opposition from the majority of the public. The Takaichi government is also pushing forward with constitutional revision, which only 1% of the general public views as a top priority.

Meanwhile, the seeds of peace sown by Hello Kitty have now spread to 130 countries and regions. Hello Kitty embodies the people’s desire for “everyone to get along together”.