Kumamon, the popular black bear-like mascot of Kumamoto Prefecture, is being used to teach hygiene to Indian children while dancing to a Hindi song in a video recently released by Japan's aid agency, in an effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
The approximately four-minute video, a joint collaboration of the Japan International Cooperation Agency and the Kumamoto prefectural government, shows the famous mascot washing his hands before having chai tea at an Indian restaurant, with Indian performers and children dancing to local music played in the background.
The video released last month encourages Indian children to become friends with Kumamon and learn good habits from him such as trimming nails, washing hands, and wearing masks to "win over the pandemic," according to the lyrics of the song.