Kumamon

[6] In just two years, Kumamon has generated US$1.2 billion in economic benefits for his region, including tourism and product sales, as well as US$90 million worth of publicity, according to a recent Bank of Japan study.

[8] The Bank of Japan also estimated that Kumamon generated ¥123.2 billion in revenue during a two-year period starting from 2011.

[8] The unusual marketing strategy of free licensing has also contributed to Kumamon's commercial success;[8] Kumamoto Prefecture grants usage rights for free to any individual group as long as the products promote goods and services from the prefecture.

[6][8] In 2018, this license was extended to foreign businesses, with aims to both boost worldwide recognition and increase tourism to the prefecture.

Kumamon has gained popularity as an internet meme when images of the character, usually around a large bonfire, were captioned with text reading "Why?