Following a call for submissions, 86 proposals for an Austrian mascot were submitted, out of which “Kickory” was selected by a jury consisting of representatives from the Austrian Embassy in Tokyo, the Tokyo Foreign Trade Office, the Austrian Tourism Bureau, and the Austrian Cultural Forum in Tokyo. The winning mascot was designed by Yumi Yoshizaki from Oita.

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The mascot comes across as warm and endearing. The beaver is a protected species and a mammal that is native to all of Austria. It is associated with untouched wilderness, the environmental conservation of waterways, forests, and woodlands; and in a broader sense, with the natural experience, adventure, leisure, and recreation. In addition, the beaver is perceived as industrious and family-friendly, and its building activity evokes thoughts of architecture, skill, and craftsmanship.

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The name "Kickory" (きっこりぃー) is a diminutive form of the Japanese word for lumberjack. Wood as well as wood derivatives, forestry, and biomass power generation play a prominent role in exports from Austria to Japan. Sustainability and the innovative power of Austrian know-how are also conveyed. The name is gender-neutral and therefore open and inclusive.

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吉崎 ゆみ (@yumijiqi) • Yumi Yoshizaki• Instagram