Tokyo’s Strange Socceroos

Japan has a strange affinity when it comes to using Australian animals for its advertising.

A number of major Japanese corporations use koalas and roos to plug their products and services.

One with a difference is Hayashi Corporation, a construction company with a history of over 100 years and based in suburban Tokyo.

Hayashi Corporation’s Fuchu branch office entrance is adorned with photos of a family of cartoon kangaroos decked out in soccer gear, just like Australia’s national football team, the Socceroos.

Japan’s next opponent in World Cup qualifying is Australia, but there’s no connection.

What is interesting to note, though, is that the kangaroos had been painted over until quite recently.

They were restored after many years and now stand out prominently.

The reason for why this marsupial touch has been added to outer suburban Tokyo remains a mystery, though.

The appearance of any company, organization, or individual on Kangaeroo.com does not constitute an endorsement, approval, or criticism of that entity or its actions. Content is included solely because it relates to themes involving Japan–Australia relations, with a particular focus on kangaroos, and should not be interpreted as expressing any evaluative judgment.
免責事項：「考えRoo.com」に登場する企業・団体・個人について、掲載は推奨・支持・批判を意味するものではありません。内容は、日本とオーストラリアの関係、とりわけカンガルーに関するテーマに関連するため掲載しているものであり、当該主体に対する評価や判断を示す意図は一切ありません。