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TOKYO -- Realistic miniature capsule toys modeled on packages of a popular miso brand are going on sale across Japan in a collaboration between a major miso maker and toy manufacturer.

Nagano-based Marukome Co. and Tokyo-based Bandai Co. are releasing the mini Marukome package charms based on the former's miso products through capsule toy vending machines at toy stores and electronics shops in the fourth week of November, to coincide with "Japanese cuisine day" on Nov. 24.

The charms are about 35 millimeters on the widest side, and look very realistic. There are toys representing five kinds of miso products, and all come with a tiny plate bearing the image of the maker's mascot Marukome-kun. The toys are priced at 300 yen (about $2.10) each.

This is the first time for Bandai to market replica Japanese fermented food for the Gashapon capsule toy vending machines. The company initially planned to release the products at year's end or later, but has moved forward the schedule to coincide with Japanese cuisine day.

The Marukome-kun mascot, who looks like a young Buddhist disciple, was created sometime between 1955 and 1964, and is modelled on the novice priests who once had to grind soybeans to make miso as part of their temple training. TV commercials for the miso featuring young boys with shaved head began airing in 1977, and 17 boys filled the role over the years.

Marukome stated about the capsule toys, "We hope they will trigger people to think about Japanese food culture."

(Japanese original by Kenji Kimura, Tokyo Regional News Department)

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