Japanese Mall Uses Gundam Figure in Olympic Tribute

A shopping center in the Japanese town of Ise has installed a 4-meter (13-foot) tall statue of the Mobile Suit Gundam anime's RX-78-2 robotic mecha with a banner wishing good luck to Japan's Mizuki Noguchi at the upcoming Beijing Olympics. Noguchi, who grew up in Ise, which is located in Mie prefecture, near Osaka, won the gold medal in the women's marathon at the 2004 Athens games. She will attempt to repeat her winning performance in this year's event as well. The statue was constructed by personnel at a nearby Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force base, and has been used several times in parades and public events.

Source: Mainichi Daily News