A Hangzhou-based company is producing the official mascot for the 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026, following its earlier work on mascots for the Hangzhou Asian Games.

Hangzhou Hisazumi Holdings, headquartered in Hangzhou's Binjiang district, is the only Chinese company authorized to manufacture Honohon, the mascot of Aichi-Nagoya 2026. Founded in 1998, the company develops and produces home and textile products for markets including Japan, South Korea, and Europe.

For the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 project, the team spent three months turning the mascot's two-dimensional design into a three-dimensional plush figure, repeatedly adjusting the pattern and stuffing to achieve the required proportions and balance. The standing version was ultimately approved in its first submission.

Quality requirements were particularly demanding, with Japanese toy safety regulations covering more requirements and tight tolerances for color reproduction and dimensions, as some measurements were required to be accurate to within 0.2 millimeters.

The company uses 12 production stages that cover cutting, embroidery, and sewing, as well as internal inspections and joint video inspections with Japanese partners. Products are also subject to third-party spot checks after delivery.

The company signed an agreement with the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games and Asian Para Games Organizing Committee in February 2025, with the first order shipped in April. It has developed 12 product types, including standing and seated mascots and character-shaped cushions.

According to Zhao Jing, head of the mascot project, the project highlights the growing international reach of Hangzhou's cultural and creative manufacturing sector.