Prime Minister Ishiba's Unexpected Reaction to New Mascot "Tunk Tunk" at Official Residence Sparks Online Buzz

The mascot character "Tunk Tunk" for the Yokohama International Horticultural Expo 2027 has been installed at the Prime Minister's Official Residence, and Prime Minister Ishiba's unexpected reaction has become a major topic on social media.

Previously, the residence was home to Myak-Myak, the mascot for the Osaka-Kansai Expo, known for its voice. Prime Minister Ishiba was reportedly often seen talking to Myak-Myak, enjoying their interactions. However, the newly introduced Tunk Tunk simply stands silently. In response, Prime Minister Ishiba is said to have wistfully murmured, "It doesn't speak..."

As soon as Prime Minister Ishiba's comment was reported, the phrase "doesn't speak" quickly climbed to the top of Yahoo!'s trending rankings. On X (formerly Twitter), comments poured in, such as "So sad and cute," "LOL so cute," "The PM is also suffering from Myak-Myak withdrawal 🥹," and "He's clearly still hung up on Myak-Myak lol." Given that Myak-Myak's voice function was enhanced in response to the question, "Does it speak?", some comments also touched on the Prime Minister's affection for mascots, asking, "Does he think if he looks sad, they'll make it speak?☺️"

Furthermore, contemporary perspectives were shared, such as, "With the AI boom, was he perhaps expecting the silent mascot to do a TikTok dance?" and "The Flower Expo character doesn't speak??? People accustomed to Myak-Myak, can they really handle a character that doesn't speak...?" These comments, comparing it to the Expo character, also expressed anticipation for future developments. The contrast between the silent Tunk Tunk and the interactive Myak-Myak has sparked people's imaginations, highlighting a more human side of the Prime Minister.

The Context

This article discusses a lighthearted moment involving Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and the mascots of two upcoming international events in Japan. The Yokohama International Horticultural Expo 2027 (also known as "Green Expo 2027") is an international exposition focused on gardening and green technologies, scheduled to take place in Yokohama, Japan. Its mascot, "Tunk Tunk," is a newly unveiled character. On the other hand, Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai is a World Expo set to be held in Osaka, Japan. Its highly distinctive mascot, "Myak-Myak," gained considerable attention not only for its unique design but also for its interactive features, including a voice. Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, who recently took office, is often seen in the public eye, and this incident offers a glimpse into a more personal and relatable side of his personality, contrasting his public role with a simple, human reaction to a non-responsive object.

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