With all the election chatter about Joe the Plumber and Wasilla, Alaska, I guess the news out of Obama, Japan got lost amidst the white noise.

Yes, there’s a town in Japan called Obama.

And guess who they want you to vote for?

Since at least March, the 32,000 residents of Obama, Japan have been eagerly following the US elections. After Obama’s primary losses in Ohio and Texas, Obamians got together at their local town hall to sing and dance to cheer Obama up.

They’ve since made a video:

The sleepy town has found the US elections to be a big boost for business. Obama burgers and Obama sushi are reported to be big sellers. It’s not just Americans’ economic future that hangs in the balance this election season. Obamians will be glued to the TV for election night returns hoping that their man wins.

Photo: oceandesetoiles (Flickr creative commons)

Activism + Politics
 

About The Author

Julie Schwietert

Julie Schwietert Collazo is a writer, editor, researcher, and translator currently in New York, formerly of Mexico City and San Juan. She is Matador's managing editor and is the lead faculty member of MatadorU's travel writing program.

  • Sara

    I can't believe this is the first I've heard of this place…great post

  • aya

    Obama sushi, huh? Wish I could get some of that around here. I guess regular sushi will have to do!

  • Alexis Wolff

    Ha, funny. Thanks for sharing!

  • JULIANE

    hahah too cute! Does anyone know what the 'bama' characters mean?

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