You are here:

Yuko Yamaguchi carries on as nurturing parent of Hello Kitty

BY HINAKO TOMINOMORI STAFF WRITER

2013/01/03

Yuko Yamaguchi, a Sanrio Co. director, holds Ichigoman dolls, the alter ego of the popular Hello Kitty, at Sanrio World Ginza in Tokyo's Chuo Ward. (Ken Aso)Sanrio Director Yuko Yamaguchi, left, poses for photo with a Hello Kitty fan and her daughter at an autograph session at JR Nagoya Takashimaya department store in Nagoya. (Ken Aso)Yuko Yamaguchi, director at Sanrio Co., shortly after entering the company in 1978 (Provided by Sanrio Co.)

Hello Kitty, created by Sanrio Co. 38 years ago, is now an international feline superstar: Hello Kitty-themed jets fly over the Taiwanese skies, a gorgeous Kitty-filled spa has opened in the Middle Eastern city of Dubai and U.S. singer Lady Gaga has worn Kitty-design costumes in her shows.