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Designer Sues Yamanashi Police for Using Fuji-Kun Mascot Without Permission
posted on by Eric Stimson
Katsuhiko Tadamoto, a designer in the Japanese mountain city of Kōfu, is suing the local Yamanashi Prefecture's police department over its mascot, "Fuji-kun." He claims this anthropomorphic version of the nearby world-famous peak was originally his creation.
In 1986, Yamanashi Prefecture hosted the 41st annual National Sports Festival of Japan. Tadamoto worked on the preparatory committee designing logos and the mascot. He claims that when the committee couldn't come up with a mascot that fit their requirements, they turned to him to design one. He is suing the police department to cease their unauthorized use of his work and to pay him ¥1 million (about $9,750) in compensation.
"[The Yamanashi Prefecture police department] didn't answer me. They didn't consult me. I was so insulted," Tadamoto says. "I'm so shocked, I don't want to be a resident of Yamanashi Prefecture anymore."
Fuji-kun in his original athletic uniform
On the other hand, the Yamanashi police claim that another man was the original creator of Fuji-kun and point to promotional work from the festival that credit him. Tadamoto is noted only as an "assistant creator." According to Tadamoto, the original work lacked a torso. "Basically, [the original design] was an idea."
For what it's worth, a readers' poll on the website Hachima Kikou concluded that without looking at the original designs, no conclusion could be reached (57%). 30% sided with the other man, 7% thought both share credit and only 6% took Tadamoto's side. A total of 1,774 votes were cast.
[Via Hachima Kikou]
