Photo/Illutration So Yamauchi, director of the Yama no Aquarium in Kitami, Hokkaido, points to the “push-it-and-director-appears” button. (Osamu Mikami)

KITAMI, Hokkaido--A tiny device at what is known as the smallest aquarium in Hokkaido has kept the director on his toes, sometimes for no good reason.

If visitors press a button near the entrance of the Yama no Aquarium, also called Kita no Daichi no Suizokukan (aquarium on the northern ground), the director, So Yamauchi, 32, will show up within three minutes.

The “push-it-and-director-appears” button is used by people who may have questions for Yamauchi about the aquarium or for photo opportunities.

Others press the button just for the heck of it.

The eraser-sized button has generated much hype online since it was installed on July 7 to coincide with the eighth anniversary of the aquarium’s opening.

Among six visitors who used it on July 12, one sought to “take a photo” with the director, while another wanted to “learn about fish that can be found in rivers in my hometown.”

One button-pusher said the goal was just to “see the director.”

Before the introduction of the device, Yamauchi had been considering ways to talk with visitors because he felt they were hesitant to stop aquarium staff for inquiries.

Yamauchi hit upon the idea for the button because he thought that an increase in communication would lead to repeat visitors.

When the button is used, Yamauchi receives an alert on his smartphone.

“I am willing to talk about not only topics relating to fish and exhibits but also hamburgers, my favorite food,” Yamauchi said. “Even if you do not have any specific thing to do with me, you can summon me for the fun of it.”

After word of the button spread on Twitter, many comments poured in, saying, for example, “the button is novel” and “I want to operate it.”

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