Sample license plates for small motorcycles featuring the mascots of pro sports teams based in Sendai are seen. (Photo courtesy of the Sendai Municipal Government)

       SENDAI -- The municipal government of this northeast Japan city will start issuing small motorcycle license plates featuring the mascots of four local pro sports teams on Feb. 1, 2022.

       There is one mascot illustration in each of the license plates' four corners, representing the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles (baseball), Vegalta Sendai (men's soccer), the Mynavi Sendai Ladies (women's soccer), and the Sendai 89ers (basketball) -- all of which are based in the city of Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture.

       The plate color is white for motorcycles that have an engine displacement of up to 50 cc, yellow for over 50 cc but no more than 90 cc, and pink for over 90 cc but no more than 125 cc.

       The city will start accepting applications on Dec. 21. To get a plate with the mascots, a donation of 2,000 yen (about $18) or more is necessary. The donated money will be put towards each team's sports classes and local events, among other purposes. Sendai Mayor Kazuko Kori commented, "I hope the circle of support for this city's professional sports will expand."

       (Japanese original by Hana Fujita, Sendai Bureau)

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