Ishinomaki Man Plush Toy Offers Hope to Children in Times of Disaster; Tsunami Survivor Wants to Use Character to Repay Help He Received

ISHINOMAKI, Miyagi — A plush toy of Ishinomaki Man, a character created as an unofficial mascot for the community in the wake of the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake, will soon make its debut as an item supporting disaster preparedness. At the push of a button, the doll lights up and a reassuring message plays. “I want to help ease children’s anxiety when disaster strikes,” said Koichi Saino, 59, the character’s creator and head of the local design company Beyond.