Two people died in Kumamoto Prefecture in heavy rain that hit the Kyushu southwestern region of Japan from Sunday through Tuesday.

Kumamon, a representative mascot of Kumamoto Prefecture, was born in March 2011 by Ikuo Kabashima, Governor of Kumamoto Prefecture for the opening of Kyushu route, in order to promote tourism. Soon after, Kumamon gained popularity all over Japan rapidly, with his signature song “Kumamon Taisou”, a cute and easy to follow exercise song, which had become a popular dance in Japan.