My friend Lance has been living and working in Japan for several years. He is currently vacationing in North America. He asked me if I wanted anything from there. I had previously admired a keychain of his of a goofy cartoon character with the barest trace of a mustache, which he had bought on a previous stay in Japan.

I said I would like something similarly cheap, cute and small.

Well, he delivered. Say hello to Aokubi Daikon, the cutest radish in the world!

Lance said Aokubi Daikon (a daikon is a type of giant white radish) is the equivalent of Hello Kitty — basically a character to slap on a variety of merchandise. The item pictured above is a cellphone accessory.

Lance says that at this point in time Aokubi Daikon has not really caught on with the public in the way Hello Kitty has. Lance has only seen tough Japanese high school girls sporting the character.

Learn more about Aokubi Daikon at the toy manufacturer’s website! And let me know what you learn — I still can’t figure exactly what the hell is going on.

And yes, I have a Aokubi Daikon video for you. Enjoy!