Japan's new problem: Cuteness overload

Osaka is no exception. Perhaps surprisingly for the city that was the gritty inspiration for “Blade Runner,” Japan’s second city is as cute-obsessed as the rest of the country, if not more so, with some 45 Osaka-themed mascots plying their trade in the city.

But this town might not be big enough for all of them. According to the Osaka’s local government, some of the city’s cartoon representatives may be stepping out of the limelight, sidelined in favor of the chosen one, the city’s Moppi, as Osaka’s “core mascot.”

“The prefecture has too many mascots,” the Asahi Shimbun quoted Osaka Governor Ichiro Matsui as saying. “People do not know what they are promoting or what policy they are trying to raise awareness of.”