Newly appointed sleep support ambassadors Pikachu (left) and Snorlax, posing for a photo at the Health, Labour and Welfare Ministry in Tokyo on June 26, 2025. - The Yomiuri Shimbun
TOKYO: In a charming and strategic move to encourage healthy sleeping habits, Pikachu and Snorlax — two beloved characters from the globally popular Pokemon franchise — have officially been appointed as “sleep support ambassadors” by the Japanese government.
The Health, Labour and Welfare Ministry spearheaded this initiative, which leverages the appeal of these iconic figures to encourage people, especially children, to develop better sleep habits.
