Pikachu parade as Japan goes Pokemon crazyHundreds of Pokemon Go fans gathered in Yokohama, southwest of Tokyo, on Sunday to join an annual Pikachu parade as the global phenomenon soars in popularity. Pokemon has been popular in Japan since first being launched as software in 1996 for Nintendo’s iconic Game Boy console. Some 50 life-size Pikachu characters, the most famous from the Pokemon game, marched along the city’s waterfront street as visitors took mobile phone pictures and videos of them in scorching sunshine. “I came here all the way to Yokohama, hoping to find different kinds of Pokemon characters,” said Teruko Fujisawa, a 45-year-old woman working at a trading house. Since its global launch, Pokemon Go has sparked a worldwide frenzy among users who have taken to the streets with their smartphones.

Source: Manila Bulletin August 07, 2016 10:18 UTC