TOKYO -- Hello Kitty, one of the world's most recognizable brands, continues to create a stir. More than 40 years after she charmed her way to stardom on the character-goods scene, companies are still cozying up to Sanrio's adorable icon to drive marketing.
West Japan Railway is one of the latest, with a Hello Kitty-themed bullet train, or shinkansen, designed to lure global fans, especially those from China and Southeast Asia, where an increasing number of businesses are using Hello Kitty content.
