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In 2009 I was appointed cuteness ambassador by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, took part in 16 different events in 10 different countries and worked to promote Japan through lolita fashion. Recently, there have been lots of opportunities to take part in events around Asia, especially in China where the popularity of lolita is just incredible! Whatever country you're in, you know that girls just want to be like a princess. This article is all about what's “now” in the lolita fashion world.

During the last ten years, lolita fashion's popularity and visibility has risen, setting a trend worldwide. There were many events held abroad to introduce Japanese culture (traditional arts, manga, anime, cuisine, fashion and so on). One example is the annual Japan Expo based in Paris, France and held every July. Last year it saw 160,000 attendees! Many people see the lolita style and and say “Kawaii”(cute) giving lolita fashion a popularity abroad that is even higher than Japan. I've been to lolita tea parties in other countries, of course with an interpreter by my side, but the word “Kawaii” is always understood without translation. It looks like kawaii means the same thing where ever you go!

Some fans from around Asian even go so far as to travel to Japan just to buy their lolita outfits and make their own makeup. In South America, many lolitas go without a blouse because of the heat, whereas in Japan we don't really show much skin, but it must feel cool! On the net, there are lots of fans of anime and manga with an interest in Japan who have stumbled across lolita fashion too. Whenever I say “I'm going to China!” on twitter or my blog fans are always waiting for me at the airport and the hotel to give me a warm welcome. They even give me letters written in Japanese!

In September of 2011 and 2012 I walked the 30m runway at FACo in Dalian in China. Everyone in the audience cried out “Kawaii!” in Japanese, it was so much fun.