Peaceful Baby Dolls Becoming Japanese Hit

OSAKA - A new type of puppet doll made to resemble a sleeping baby dressed in baby clothes is becoming a hit in Japan. The dolls, named “Yasuraka Akachan” (peaceful baby), are sold by Osaka-based cosmetics firm Suhada Biyo Kenkyusho. They are priced at 12,600 yen each.

Between August last year and the end of 2005, 800 of the dolls had reportedly been sold. Company officials reportedly decided to market the puppet dolls on the premise that “beauty starts with a peaceful heart.”