Fans of the Akita dog Wasao will be in for a treat for another year as the canine, which gained nationwide fame with its unique looks, was reappointed Sunday as "tourism stationmaster" in a town in Aomori Prefecture.
The big white furry dog with squinty eyes is widely called busa kawaii, a slang phrase combining the Japanese words busaiku (ugly) with kawaii (cute). The canine became an online sensation through blog articles and eventually rose to TV stardom.
Wasao was cleared to work for another year at JR Ajigasawa Station in the town of Ajigasawa until March 31. In promoting the town, Wasao will be joined by "wife" Tsubaki, the deputy stationmaster, and daughter Chome, a trainee.