The shopping street along the old national highway, “Koshien Keyaki Sanpomichi,” has signed a partnership agreement with the Republic of Nauru, so we went all the way to the Expo venue!
目次
What Is the Republic of Nauru?
Q. ナウル共和国と琵琶湖はどちらが大きいですか？
A. 琵琶湖 pic.twitter.com/aEwbsh0BOu
— ナウル共和国政府観光局（公式） (@nauru_japan) September 19, 2025
The Republic of Nauru has a population of 12,000, far fewer than Nishinomiya’s 480,000. But Nauru’s X account has 550,000 followers.
Nauru’s official X account is constantly going viral, and it’s a country that Japanese people really love. By the way, Nishinomiya City’s X has 12,000 followers. It kind of feels like the population and follower count have switched places
The official yuru-chara mascot, “Nauru-kun” ↓
He charms people even while lying down. Maybe this laid-back vibe is why everyone loves him. Nishi2 loves laid-back things too.
The Signing Ceremony Was Held at the Expo
The signing ceremony between the easygoing Nauru and Koshien Keyaki Sanpomichi was taking place.
The venue was the “Republic of Nauru Pavilion” in Commons B. It’s next to the Gambia Pavilion.
This is the memorandum that was signed. It properly says “partnership agreement.”
Singer-songwriter Shima Takada also performed a friendly Nauru-and-keyaki song that she created on the spot.
At the Republic of Nauru Pavilion, “Keyaki-kun,” the character of “Koshien Keyaki Sanpomichi,” made an appearance.
“Nauru-kun” and “Keyaki-kun” even exchanged a firm handshake. Now that’s a symbol of friendship.
Usually, most pavilion displays are items from that country, but in Nauru’s case, most of them were gifts sent from Japan.
The official yuru-chara mascot Nauru-kun is made of cardboard, and you’re allowed to touch him and even hold him. Normally you’re told not to touch exhibits, so this is the complete opposite. He’s a little worn out
By the way, right next to the Republic of Nauru is the booth for “Gambia,” the Gambian restaurant that opened inside Aeon Nishinomiya Mondo.
How the Signing Came About
What led a Koshien shopping street and the Republic of Nauru to sign an agreement? It goes back to a post made on X by the “Republic of Nauru Government Tourism Office” on August 22, 2025.
万博ナウル共和国パビリオンと広報連携してくれる町内会か商店会はおらんかのう👵
今ならホイホイ調印するからのう👵
— ナウル共和国政府観光局（公式） (@nauru_japan) August 22, 2025
The owner of the cafe “deli cafe Hana” on “Koshien Keyaki Sanpomichi” spotted this post. After discussing it within the shopping street, everyone thought, “That sounds fun!” and sent a message to Nauru’s account.
はじめまして。緑色の平らなキャラクターがいる商店会と連携していただけませんか。ダイレクトメッセージが送れずにおります。どちらからご相談すれば良いでしょうか。
— けやきくん@甲子園けやき散歩道サポーター (@keyakikun_sanpo) September 11, 2025
After that, they continued exchanging messages, and the signing was decided in just two days!
The Philosophy Behind the Partnership Agreement
Partnership Between “a Small Country and a Small Shopping Street”
By connecting “a small country” and “a small shopping street,” these two “small” entities will work hand in hand so that even after the Expo closes, the world can continue to come together as one “circle.”
A Symbol of Friendship Through Characters
The friendship between the two green-themed characters, “Nauru-kun” and “Keyaki-kun,” is positioned as the symbol of this partnership, linking them together in harmony toward the realization of a green, sustainable society.
What Will They Do from Here?
Collaborations at Shopping Street Events
Details are still being discussed, but they plan to sell collaborative products and hold projects featuring “Nauru-kun” and “Keyaki-kun.”
The Whole Town Is Getting Behind Keyaki-kun
A hand-drawn Keyaki-kun is displayed in front of Amashin too.
And somehow, Chicken Works even has a Keyaki-kun election office?!
Running in the “Character Election” at the Nishinomiya Citizens’ Festival
At the “Nishinomiya Citizens’ Festival” on October 25, 2025, an election will be held to determine the popularity of different characters.
“Keyaki-kun” is also running, and it looks like he’ll be campaigning with the strength of having “Nauru-kun as a friend” on his side!
As Nishi2, we love Miyatan too, but this time we want to support Keyaki-kun, who helped build this friendship with Nauru-kun! Amazingly, both Miyatan and Keyaki-kun have October 1 birthdays. And in a miraculous coincidence, Keyaki-kun’s creator Takaho Mizuma has the same birthday too
Everyone, please support him!
If you vote for Keyaki-kun, you can get an incredibly cute Keyaki-kun badge for free at the election office.
Finally
“A small country” and “a small shopping street” joining hands might sound simple, but having a signing ceremony at the Expo venue with an acting government representative in attendance feels pretty amazing. The fact that they’re willing to connect so casually like this is one of the great things about the Republic of Nauru. Everyone, please go check out “Koshien Keyaki Sanpomichi”!
