The Japanese World Expo 2025 committee have chosen Pikachu and Hello Kitty to represent them as their official mascots.

By doing this they hope to attract more attention as both Pokemon and Hello Kitty are very popular cartoon shows watched overseas.

The World Expo is an event where nations showcase their achievements. There are currently four countries jostling to win the rights to host the next World Expo in 2025. They are Japan, France, Russia, and Azerbaijan. The host country will be elected by the 170 member states of the BIE during the 164th General Assembly in November 2018.

ハローキティとポケットモンスターを代表してピカチュウに対し、2025年国際博覧会誘致キャラクター特使への就任を要請しました。 pic.twitter.com/1xc8M0GPfW

— 河野太郎 (@konotarogomame) November 28, 2017