Pokemon character Pikachu and Sanrio's character Hello Kitty receive letters of appreciation from Foreign Minister Taro Kono (L) for their contribution as cultural ambassadors in a bid to host the 2025 World EXPO in Tokyo on Thursday, February 21, 2019. Japan was elected as the host country for the 2025 World EXPO last year. [Photo: IC]"

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]"

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

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