Hello Kitty- the traditional white cat with the little bow on it's head ( you know you have seen it..) seems to remain a staple of pop culture and quite specifically Asian pop culture for as long as I can remember.  Sanrio being a Tokyo based company lends some understanding, but after over three decades that's still one hot pussy. (sorry -couldn't help it)  

In search of an answer to this question, I have even asked Japanese women that would stop at the kiosk I managed at Detroit Metro Airport....they all responded with " I don't know".

Seems that American celebrities did more to warrant Hello Kitty's infamy than the Japanese. From Mandy Moore and Nicky Hilton to Perez Hilton , Steven Tyler and Ricky Martin, Hello Kitty is invited to more celebutant affairs than I could ever imagine.  I wanna be Hello Kitty when I grow up.

Hello Kitty is also now adorning more than just purses and t-shirts...she has been given her own model Mittsubishi as well as a guitar marketed by Lisa Loeb.

Not bad for a cat that got it's start on a $3 coin purse.