Pikachu and Hello Kitty hosted by Japan's Foreign Minister Taro Kono

​Sanrio's character Hello Kitty receives a letter of appreciation from Foreign Minister Taro Kono (R) for their contribution as cultural ambassadors during a bid to host the the 2025 World Expo in Tokyo on Thursday, February 21, 2019. Japan was elected as the host country for the 2015 World EXPO last year. [Photo: IC]