Photo/Illutration Many Myaku-Myaku plushies that have been given to the Baltic Pavilion surround a Barabi-chan plushie, the official mascot of the Baltic Pavilion, center, in Osaka’s Konohana Ward on May 20. (Hiyori Uchiumi)

OSAKA—Osaka Kansai Expo visitors have opened their hearts and responded in a groundswell of support for the Baltic Pavillion here after its expo mascot plushie was stolen, by donating numerous replacements.

According to the Baltic Pavilion, where Latvia and Lithuania exhibit together, the theft occurred on May 13 and was recorded on security cameras. The pavilion’s plushie of Myaku-Myaku, the smiling, googly-eyed mascot of the expo, was stolen from a counter near the entrance.

“We miss the plushie. Please tell us if it is found,” Lithuanian Ambassador to Japan Aurelijus Zykas posted on X (formerly Twitter) on May 16.

“We placed the mascot there because it is a popular symbol of the expo. Its best friend Barabi-chan, the official ambassador of the Baltic Pavilion, also looks sad,” said a pavilion public relations staff member.

As news of the theft spread online, many Japanese visitors to the expo brought Myaku-Myaku plushies and other gifts to the Baltic Pavilion.

On May 20, the Osaka Expo held a National Day (events in which participating countries exhibit their culture and history at the expo) for Latvia. Performers wearing traditional Latvian costumes danced and paraded through the venue.

In the Baltic Pavilion, all the gifts that had been donated by that morning, including 18 Myaku-Myaku plushies and goods, were lined up on the counter near the entrance to welcome visitors alongside the Barabi-chan plushie.

“We are grateful for the kindness of the Japanese people,” said Lasma Lidaka, commissioner general of Latvia, at the Baltic Pavilion.

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