AOMORI -- The popular Akita dog Wasao, known for being "ugly-cute," has died in Aomori Prefecture, it was announced on Tuesday.
According to the Wasao Project organization that supported the dog's activities, he died of multiple organ failure on Monday. He was estimated to be 13 years old, the equivalent of being in one's early 90s for a human being.
Wasao was found on the Aomori Prefecture coast in autumn 2007 by Setsuko Kikuya, who took care of him until her own death in November 2017. Wasao became popular with his long hair and charming face, and helped promote tourism in Ajigasawa, Aomori Prefecture.
In 2011, the movie "Wasao" starring the dog was released.
Wasao used to greet tourists at a broiled squid shop owned by Kikuya in the daytime. On Monday Wasao was at the squid shop during the day as usual, but he became unwell and died in his sleep in the evening, according to the Wasao Project.
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