Virtual YouTuber Promoting Eastern Japan Prefecture of Ibaraki

August 22, 2018

Mito, Ibaraki Pref.- A virtual YouTuber, or VTuber, debuted this month to promote the eastern Japan prefecture of Ibaraki.

On Ibakira TV, a video website operated by the Ibaraki prefectural government, Hiyori Ibara, the computer-designed female character and the first-ever VTuber authorized by a local government in Japan, introduces the attractions of Ibaraki in a news program format.

The creation of the virtual character is intended to attract young people, due to the growing popularity of VTubers among them, according to prefectural officials.

The character's name, chosen from among candidates solicited from the public, is a pun of Ibaraki Biyori, or "a perfect day for Ibaraki."

Hiyori, portrayed as a native of Ibaraki and employee of the government of the prefecture, wears a hair ornament shaped like monkfish, a local specialty. Her name card says she has a position of "announcer of the Vtuber team of the prefecture's virtual public relations division."

In an image from a video clip in which Hiyori introduces herself, she is given a letter of appointment to the post by Ibaraki Governor Kazuhiko Oigawa.

A VTuber is a fictitious character posting video clips on such websites as YouTube. In live broadcasts, meanwhile, a VTuber, unlike an animated character, moves in tandem with the motions of the person who posts the video and can therefore interact with viewers.

Ibakira TV, launched in 2012, is popular among young people, partly thanks to programs featuring "owarai" comedians in vogue.

On the website, the prefecture plans to introduce fireworks and other local events and for Hiyori to appear in a live quiz show to promote Ibaraki.

The prefecture has not disclosed who is acting the role of Hiyori. Kazuhiko Watanabe, head of the Ibaraki government's prefectural promotion strategy team, said, "It would be fun to imagine various things" about Hiyori.

"I hope Hiyori will become a symbol of Ibaraki, like Kumamon (is for Kumamoto Prefecture)," he said, referring to the famous and popular black bear mascot of the southwestern Japan prefecture. Jiji Press