Saitama Prefecture

Miscellaneous topics

• Kobaton (コバトン)

:?Kobaton? is a mascot of the prefecture which was made in the motif of Shirako-bato (Eurasian collared dove), the prefectural symbol bird. Kobaton was made originally as a mascot of the fifty ninth annual national athletic meeting held in the prefecture in 2004. Since it became very popular among the residents through the promotion campaign of the athletic meeting, he (or she ?) has inaugurated as a mascot of the prefecture in 2005, in succession to the athletic meeting. When Kobaton was inaugurated, the prefectural government held the inauguration ceremony for him/her, and handed a letter of appointment from the governor. http://www.pref.saitama.lg.jp/what/what_kobaton.html

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~