Japan's Kumamoto Prefecture has arranged a special birthday bash for Kumamon, its nationally and internationally beloved official mascot, "Kumamon Birthday Festival 2023 Welcome to Kumamon Land, The Great Kumamon Festival". The two-day event takes place March 11-12 from 10am to 5pm at two venues Hanabata Hiroba Square along with Kumamon's main base of activity, Kumamon Square with Kumamon serving as the event's executive director.
The Nagoya city government hoped to resolve a source of confusion for visitors to the central Japan city by changing the name of the subway station close to Nagoya Castle on Jan. 4 to one better reflecting its proximity to the historic site.