FUKUI, Japan – The city of Obama in Fukui Prefecture, Japan, prompted by the fact its name is spelled and pronounced identically to that of U.S. politician Barack Obama, is enthusiastically supporting the Democratic senator’s campaign for his party’s presidential nomination.

Since it was reported on the Internet that local residents had formed a volunteer group supporting the Illinois senator’s campaign, the city, located on the coast of the Sea of Japan, has attracted massive attention from overseas media.

In the hope of raising the city’s profile, the Obama municipal government decided to send their namesake a special good-luck daruma doll to wish him victory in the race.

The group supporting Obama’s White House bid was formed by 16 citizens shortly before the Super Tuesday primaries on Feb. 5.

Campaign posters bearing the politician’s image or the slogan “Ganbare Obama!” (Go, Obama!) were put up at local hotels.

The group also plans to start a Web site to promote Obama’s presidential campaign, and sell buns featuring his likeness.

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(c) 2008, The Yomiuri Shimbun.

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AP-NY-02-16-08 1523EST