World | Hello Kitty Hello, China: Meet Japan's New Envoy Japan tabs pop icon to bring in visitors from China By Nick McMaster Posted May 19, 2008 8:00 PM CDT Copied Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Minister Tetsuzo Fuyushiba shakes hands with kimono-clad Hello Kitty as South Korean singer Younha looks on at his office in Tokyo Monday, May 19, 2008. (AP Photo/Koji Sasahara) Hello Kitty has been tapped as Japan’s cultural envoy to China, the AP reports. Japan’s ministry of tourism chose the über-popular icon to represent the country in its drive to attract 10 million annual visitors to the islands. Last year, tourists from China and Hong Kong made up 16.5% of Japan's 8.35 million overseas visitors. Read These Next Boebert defends leaking Hillary Clinton photo. Trump says he'll talk with Iranian leaders. Abduction survivor's story is one of pain and resilience. Baby born deep in Amazon rainforest is 'a source of hope.' Report an error