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Ibaraki Prefecture's Self Defense Force Gets Its Own Moe Mascots

Ibaraki prefecture, the home of Oarai city and Girls und Panzer, debuted its own moe mascots for the area's Japan Self-Defense Forces' Provincial Cooperation Office. Each girl is a member of a separate branch:

The mascots include Hibari (Japan Air Self-Defense Force), Nobara (Maritime Self-Defense Force), and Koume (Japan Ground Self-Defense Force). The characters and poster were designed by illustrator Pochi Iida and will be distributed around high schools and train stations beginning in June.

Iida described Hibari as the "naive princess" character, while Koume has a big appetite and super-human strength.

The JSDF's Okayama Provincial Cooperation Office debuted its own recruiting mascots last year and saw a 20 percent surge in applicant turnout as a result. Okayama's characters were designed by Strike Witches character designer Humikane Shimada.

Another government entity, the Japanese Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, introduced two mascots in February for its Twitter account.

[Via Net Lab]