Japan's cartoon character Doraemon (C), who has been appointed as the nation's first Anime Ambassador, poses with Foreign Minister Masahiko Komura (L) and cartoon character Nobita (R) during an inauguration ceremony in Tokyo, capital of Japan, March 19, 2008. [Xinhua]

Japan's beloved cartoon robo-cat Doraemon took on a new role Wednesday as a charm ambassador in a bid to promote the nation's culture and win the hearts of future world leaders.

Masahiko Komura, Japan's usually serious foreign minister, led an upbeat ceremony to appoint the character as Japan's first "anime ambassador" tasked with "making friends by travelling around the world."

In his acceptance speech, Doraemon -- or at least a stuffed suit character -- said he was eager to promote Japanese culture.

"Through my work, I will do my best to tell people in foreign countries about what Japanese think, how Japanese live and what kind of future the Japanese hope to make," Doraemon said, as Komura stood by stiffly.