Popularity contest between local “Yurukawa” mascots under way
Kumamoto Prefecture’s “Kuma-mon” bear mascot and the Ehime Prefecture city of Imabari’s “Barii-san” bird character are in a dead heat in an online popularity contest until Saturday between some 350 cartoon characters representing local mascots across Japan.
#1: Kuma-mon from Kumamoto
These characters, created by local governments and businesses to attract tourists and invigorate their communities, are known as “yuru-kyara,(ゆるキャラ）” literally meaning ”loose characters” to signify their rather unrefined and laid-back image.
#2:Barii-san from Ehime
As of 8 a.m. Nov.24, Kuma-mon was the front-runner in the contest that began in September, having garnered some 246,836 votes, closely followed by Barii-san with some 242,541 votes.
#3:Yanana from Gifu
The contest is organized by the Society of Organized “yuru-kyara”, a group based in Hikone, Shiga Prefecture, which promotes the use of yuru-kyara for the purpose of spurring local economies and promoting regional exchanges.
Votes can be cast until Nov.26 . 
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