Vote for the "World's Best Local Character"! The World Local Character Grand Prix Official Voting Has Begun!

The "World Local Character Grand Prix," an event designed to visualize the "daily grassroots activities" of characters and transform them into drivers of regional revitalization, has launched its official "Web Support Voting" on July 7, 2026, at 8:00 AM. A total of 276 local and corporate characters from Japan and abroad, including those from Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Thailand, are participating (as of July 7, 11:30 AM; additional entries are possible during the period). Your passionate support will make the characters shine, become the driving force for regional movement, and create a stage where their daily grassroots efforts are rewarded. Please vote! Web voting runs until December 4 (On-site support voting runs until December 13)!

"World Local Character Grand Prix" Logo Mark

https://charagp.full-comi.jp/

This Grand Prix is being held for the first time by an executive committee composed of the Japan Local Character Association (Representative Director: Fukusaku Arakawa), Punctuations Inc. (Headquarters: Susaki City, Kochi Prefecture, President: Ken Moritoki), which is involved in regional revitalization projects, and others. The competition will be based on the total points earned from two categories: [1] approximately six months of web voting and [2] "on-site support voting" at event venues in five locations nationwide. Starting in September, a system will be added to award points to characters when donations are made to local governments through the "FuruComi" hometown tax donation portal site operated by Punctuations.

Domestic Characters (Example) Overseas Characters (Example)

In addition to the overall 1st to 3rd place awards, various other prizes are available, including the "Local Character Division 1st Place" award for an invitation to an event to be held in Thailand in 2027, the "Corporate Character Division 1st Place" award for an invitation to a domestic event in the same year, and "Prefectural Awards" (for eligible prefectures only). The more companies and individuals who sponsor, the more prizes will be offered.

Features of the "World Local Character Grand Prix" Voting System

1. Ranking Determined by Combined Points from Web Voting + On-site Support Voting!

This system visualizes not only online visibility but also "actual contribution" by assessing how many people were interacted with and how much the region was energized at actual events. The overall ranking will be determined by combining points from web voting with points from on-site support voting held at five event venues nationwide. To highly value on-site activities, on-site support voting will be assigned a high point value. Could the excitement at the events lead to a "dramatic comeback"?

2. "Fair and Easy" Digital Voting Environment to Prevent Fraud

To prevent fraudulent voting through the mass generation of email addresses, a web voting system using "LINE ID linkage" has been introduced. At event venues, visitors' smartphones will be used, and voting will be conducted by scanning QR codes at each character's booth. By combining this with "location information (GPS) linkage," which restricts support to within the venue, a convenient yet strict voting system has been realized.

* "QR Code" is a registered trademark of Denso Wave Inc.

3. Points Utilizing the Hometown Tax Donation System

Support for characters contributes to local government support. Starting in September, a system will be introduced that utilizes the hometown tax donation mechanism, turning fans' enthusiasm to "make their favorite character win" into donations to local governments. This applies only to hometown tax donations made through "FuruComi," operated by Punctuations (not applicable if the local government does not use FuruComi). Details will be announced again around late August.

https://full-comi.jp/

Events for "On-site Support Voting"

Please check the respective websites for details on each event.

▼September 12 (Sat) - September 13 (Sun) National Local "Osusowake" Marche in Chiba

(Makuhari Messe, Chiba City, Chiba Prefecture)

https://gotouchi-chara.jp/chiba2026/

▼September 26 (Sat) - September 27 (Sun) Local Character Carnival in Gunma

(Gunma Prefectural Office, Maebashi City, Gunma Prefecture)

https://gunma-characarnival.com/

▼October 17 (Sat) - October 18 (Sun) Local Character Fair 2026

(Yumekyobashi Castle Road and Shibancho Square area, Hikone City, Shiga Prefecture)

https://gotouchi-chara.jp/hikone2026/

▼November 21 (Sat) - November 22 (Sun) World Character Summit in Hanyu 2026

(Hanyu City Hall & Hanyu Peace Park, Hanyu City, Saitama Prefecture)

https://gotouchi-chara.jp/hanyu2026/

▼December 12 (Sat) - December 13 (Sun) Local Character EXPO in Rinku

(Rinku Ice Park, Izumisano City, Osaka Prefecture)

https://gotouchi-chara.jp/izumisano2026/

Web Support Voting: July 7, 8:00 AM - December 4, 11:59 PM

On-site Support Voting: From the first day to the last day of each event, until one hour before the event ends

Ranking Calculation Period: July 7 - December 13

Awards Ceremony: To be held on December 13 at the "Local Character EXPO in Rinku." Results will also be announced on the official website and other platforms.

Call for Sponsor Partners and Donations

We are widely seeking sponsor companies that agree with the purpose of this Grand Prix and wish to further energize the regions alongside the characters, as well as companies and individuals who can consider support through "Corporate Hometown Tax Donations," etc. Please contact the secretariat.