The popular Japanese mascot Kumamon changed its official Chinese name March 19. /VCG Photo

The new name is formed by the characters for Kumamoto and bear in Chinese. /VCG Photo

The pronunciation is "xiong ben xiong" in standard Chinese now, instead of "ku-ma-meng," which aims to better represent and promote Kumamoto. /VCG Photo

The Japanese Kumamoto Prefecture said it had already applied for trademark registration of the new name to protect its intellectual property rights, according to Kyodo News. /VCG Photo