Huge Kumamon image a thank-you for support

A huge image of a bowing bear has been created at a park in Kumamoto, western Japan, to show gratitude to those who supported the prefecture following the massive earthquakes in April. The 40-by-60-meter picture depicting Kumamon, the prefecture’s mascot, was made by sculpting the park’s lawn. The chubby, red-cheeked black bear is popular across Japan. (Image: Reproduction/ NHK) His image on the lawn is accompanied by words of thanks and a resolve to push ahead with reconstruction. On Tuesday, a boom lift vehicle was brought into the park. Kumamon and some others got into its basket to take a look at the image from a height of 12 meters. He was quoted as saying that the view was beautiful, and that he’ll do all he can to rebuild the lives of the people of Kumamoto. The image will be shown to the public at a festival this weekend. The...