'Fukuppy' firm rethinking mascot after Internet ridicule

[The Straight Story]

TOKYO —

Fukushima Industries said Tuesday it was rethinking its “Fukuppy” mascot, after the Internet erupted in sniggers over a name that recalls the catalogue of mishandling at the Fukushima nuclear plant.

The Osaka-based refrigerator maker, whose name derives from its founder and has nothing to do with the area hit by an atomic catastrophe, has been ridiculed on social networking sites for the name it gave its egg-like mascot, which has blue wings and red feet.

“I’m Fukuppy. Nice to meet you,” the smiling character with a human face tells visitors to the company’s website. “I think I’m kind with a strong sense of justice but people say I’m a little bit scatterbrained.”

Fukushima Industries unveiled “Fukuppy” in April, blending the first part of the company name—Fuku—and the end of the English word “happy”, saying it represented the corporate philosophy of being a happiness-creating company.

http://www.japantoday.com/category/national/view/fukuppy-firm-rethinking-mascot-after-internet-derision

[TygrBright]

1. Too late! It's entered the pantheon.

Already being considered as replacement for the GOP's elephant.

Edited to add: The comments on the article at the link are priceless. "Let's hope there's not another ballsuppy!"

snidely,
Bright

[marble falls]

2. "I don't get all the contraversy," said Ito Fukuppy, company founder.

[xfundy]

3. New GOPig mascot!

Except with a swastika on it.