On Christmas morning, a child guidance center in Maebashi City discovered a pyramid of 10 30,000-yen (about US$360) backpacks — each in an individually gift-wrapped box — on its doorstep. Attached to the boxes was a card that simply read, "Please use these backpacks for the children." The card was signed Naoto Date — the alter ego of Tiger Mask, a manga/anime pro wrestler who fights for children in an orphanage.

Japanese backpacks for children each cost 30,000 yen because they are made from leather and are designed to last a child through elementary school from the beginning to the end. The child guidance center received five black backpacks wrapped with blue ribbons, and five red backpacks wrapped with pink ribbons. The backpacks will be given to children who are entering elementary school next year from six local orphanages.