Turns out those speaking skills came in handy for Pikachu after all.

014 Archivesfamous Pokémon has been appointed ambassador for the Japanese city of Osaka, Taro Kono, Japan's minister for foreign affairs announced in a tweet.

At the ceremony, Kono also appointed Hello Kitty to the role.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

Pikachu is the leading character of the Pokémonseries, and Sanrio's Hello Kitty has been a beloved icon for decades.

People are psyched -- it seems, mostly about Pikachu's new title.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

Kono's publicity stunt is all part of Japan's bid to have Osaka host the World Expo 2025.

It's up against three others for the bid: Paris, France; Yekaterinburg, Russia; and Baku, Azerbaijan. The Expo is held every five years, and Dubai is up next in 2020.

The winner for 2025 will be announced in November next year.