In what might prove to be Japan's most inspired step on the road to better relations with China, Tokyo has appointed its most famous feline, Hello Kitty, 33, as its goodwill tourism ambassador to China and Hong Kong. Ambassador Kitty White's main job is to catch as many Chinese and Hong Kong citizens and bring them to Japan on holiday. (The government has a goal of hosting 10m foreign tourists by 2010.)

However, the animated character's talents will ensure her role goes far beyond this. For a start, the Chinese can rest assured she will not be making any controversial speeches concerning her country's past. Kitty has no mouth - she does not need one as she "speaks from her heart". There will be no fear of unexpected eulogies on the merits of visiting Tokyo's controversial Yasukuni war shrine, a cautionary approach not always followed by Japan's human representatives.