Latest news with #Npochamu
Straits Times
4 days ago
- Business
- Straits Times
Popular Japanese character Npochamu aims for overseas expansion
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Japanese characters Npochamu (right) and Kimimaro are already a hit among young people in Japan and South Korea. TOKYO - Japanese character Npochamu, marketed as a goofy and rotund yoghurt fairy, is aiming to capitalise on its popularity overseas, with trading house Itochu gaining merchandising rights for countries and regions in Asia and North America. Npochamu and friend Kimimaro are already a hit among young people in Japan and South Korea, with goods such as charms featuring their likeness dangling from bags on city streets, while clips of their antics have amassed millions of views online. Created by Japanese illustrator Kawaisouni!, whose moniker comes from an expression roughly meaning 'How pitiful!' in English, Npochamu started gaining attention in 2022 after the artist began posting content of the white marshmallow-like figure on social media. Itochu will develop Npochamu through a Hong Kong-based investee firm that also holds the rights to the Finnish storybook characters known as The Moomins. The Japanese conglomerate aims to increase the total annual distribution value of Npochamu content to around 150 billion yen (S$1.3 billion) by 2029. Its current value is around 10 billion yen. In Japan and South Korea, a separate Japanese firm holds the rights to and manages the sales of Npochamu goods such as plushies and keychains. The Japanese government has positioned the export of goods and content like manga and video games as part of its 'Cool Japan' strategy for economic growth. KYODO NEWS Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Business Keppel to sell M1's telco business to Simba for $1.43b, says deal expected to benefit consumers Business Singtel, StarHub shares fall after announcement of Keppel's M1 sale Opinion Anwar's government: Full house but plenty of empty offices Singapore S'pore Govt asks inactive political parties including Barisan Sosialis for proof of existence Singapore 79 arrested, over 3kg of heroin seized in 5-day drug blitz Singapore Man's claim amid divorce that his mother is true owner of 3 properties cuts no ice with judge Asia Tourist spots in South Korea face complaints over rude service, price gouging during peak season Singapore Healthy lifestyle changes could save Singapore $650 million in healthcare costs by 2050: Study
Kyodo News
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Kyodo News
Popular Japanese character "Npochamu" aims for overseas expansion
TOKYO - Japanese character "Npochamu," marketed as a goofy and rotund yoghurt fairy, is aiming to capitalize on its popularity overseas, with trading house Itochu Corp. gaining merchandising rights for countries and regions in Asia and North America. Npochamu and friend Kimimaro are already a hit among young people in Japan and South Korea, with goods such as charms featuring their likeness dangling from bags on city streets, while clips of their antics have amassed millions of views online. Created by Japanese illustrator Kawaisouni!, whose moniker comes from an expression roughly meaning "How pitiful!" in English, Npochamu started gaining attention in 2022 after the artist began posting content of the white marshmallow-like figure on social media. Itochu will develop Npochamu through a Hong Kong-based investee firm that also holds the rights to the Finnish storybook characters known as The Moomins. The Japanese conglomerate aims to increase the total annual distribution value of Npochamu content to around 150 billion yen ($1.02 billion) by 2029. Its current value is around 10 billion yen. In Japan and South Korea, a separate Japanese firm holds the rights to and manages the sales of Npochamu goods such as plushies and keychains. The Japanese government has positioned the export of goods and content like manga and video games as part of its "Cool Japan" strategy for economic growth. According to government estimates, the amount of such exports in 2022 reached 4.7 trillion yen, rivaling the scale of the steel and semiconductor industries.
