The first talking Peko-chan mascots are waiting for customers at outlets of the confectionary maker Fujiya Co. in Tokyo, Osaka and other major cities.
When hugged or touched, the life-size dolls say, "Thank you for coming to see me," or "I am feeling energetic."
With a lighter hair color and bigger tongue sticking out of the side of her mouth than past models, the new Peko-chan has a repertoire of 90 different phrases.
Fujiya is installing the talking model to help mark the company's 100th year and the 60th year since Peko-chan was created.
Fujiya President Yasufumi Sakurai said the company plans to place the talking Peko-chans at some 100 stores across the nation over the next year.