Post-quake revival: Airport gets Pokemon nickname

Pikachu in a pilot costume appears at a ceremony commemorating Noto Airport’s adoption of the nickname “Noto Satoyama Pokemon With You Airport” on July 7, 2026, in Wajima, Ishikawa Prefecture

JAPAN — A ceremony was held Tuesday to commemorate Noto Airport’s adoption of the nickname “Noto Satoyama Pokemon With You Airport,” with the central Japanese airport decorated with Pokemon characters and offering exclusive merchandise.

The initiative at the airport in Wajima, Ishikawa Prefecture, is part of efforts to revitalize the Noto Peninsula, which was struck by a devastating earthquake on New Year’s Day 2024 and hit by heavy rains later that year.

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At 8 a.m., as the event began, the iconic yellow character Pikachu appeared and posed for photos with children during the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

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READ: More than just a game: How Pokémon revolutionized pop culture in 30 years

“I want the excitement of a Pokemon-themed airport to become a source of strength for the area’s reconstruction efforts, and I hope it will provide a major boost,” Ishikawa Gov. Yukiyoshi Yamano said.

He said he hopes people from all around the world will visit the airport.

Pokemon all over

The new nickname was proposed by the Pokemon With You Foundation, established by employees of The Pokemon Co. to engage in social contribution activities. It will be used through Sept. 30, 2029.

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Inside the terminal building, a giant Pikachu riding a balloon airplane is suspended from the atrium ceiling. Illustrations of various Pokemon characters are displayed on the walls against backgrounds reminiscent of the Noto area’s natural scenery.

Other projects in the disaster-hit area include installing Pokemon-themed manhole covers and opening footbath facilities decorated with Pokemon characters.

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Pokemon, a portmanteau of the Japanese term Pocket Monsters, has grown into a global phenomenon across various forms of entertainment, including anime and trading card games, and this year marks the 30th anniversary of the release of the franchise’s first video game. /cb

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