Jun 10 (Japan Times) - Wasao, an Akita dog who earned nationwide popularity for his unique looks, has died at age 13, believed to be equivalent to around the early 90s in human years, a support group said Tuesday.
The big, white furry canine with a squinty-eyed face died Monday. He had been described widely as “busa kawaii,†a nickname combining two Japanese words — busaiku, meaning ugly and kawaii, or cute.
The dog, once abandoned in the town of Ajigasawa in Aomori Prefecture, was adopted by a local in 2007 before becoming an online sensation through blog articles and eventually rising to TV stardom. A movie titled after him was also released in 2011.
Wasao’s activities included visits to areas devastated by the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami and serving as “tourism stationmaster†at nearby Ajigasawa Station.
The support group, Wasao Project, said issues with his health became more visible in April when he was no longer able to stand on his own, and that his condition deteriorated rapidly on Sunday.
