“It’s impressive to see people’s reactions,” V\u00edctor Gonz\u00e1lez Herrera<\/b>, president of Farmacias Similares and executive president of GPUPM, told EFE after learning that more than 600 people had already visited the store.<\/p>\n The pop-up shop, which will remain open for one month\u00a0in front of the iconic Shibuya 109 department store<\/b>, spans three floors featuring interactive experiences, where visitors can also purchase merchandise such as Dr. Simi plush toys and backpacks.<\/p>\n “The samurai Simi is a huge hit,”<\/b> Gonz\u00e1lez Herrera said, adding that the opening will also help the group understand what resonates most with Japanese audiences and seek potential partners in the market.<\/p>\n “Japan is going to love Dr. Simi”<\/b><\/p>\n One of the reasons GPUPM<\/b> chose Japan as its gateway to Asia is that, much like in Mexico, there is a strong cultural affinity for characters known as “yuru-kyara”<\/b>\u2014mascots often used by brands, stores, and even local governments.<\/p>\n “These characters are part of Japanese culture, so I’m sure that people in Japan are going to love Dr. Simi,” Carina, a flight attendant, whose Instagram account “Carina y Simi” has more than 13,000 followers, told EFE.<\/p>\n Carina, who travels around the world for work, posts photos of her\u00a0Dr. Simi<\/b> plush toys visiting countries such as Poland, Russia, and Zimbabwe. Although she does not recall the exact number, she estimates she has taken the character to more than 30 countries.<\/p>\n In this regard, Gonz\u00e1lez Herrera said that beyond its viral appeal and popularity as a mascot, what makes Dr. Simi a success is precisely how he connects with peopl<\/b>e<\/b>. The executive also noted that all the plush toys are made in a factory that employs people with disabilities.<\/p>\n Grupo Por un Pa\u00eds Mejor (GPUPM) is a coalition of institutions and commercial enterprises dedicated to building a fairer nation for everyone They currently comprise four social enterprises and four commercial enterprises, including Farmacias Similares.<\/p>\n Photo – https:\/\/mma.prnasia.com\/media2\/2955071\/Farmacias_Similares_1.jpg?p=medium600<\/a> \u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p>\n A pop-up store is being opened by Farmacias Similares in Shibuya, which is in the heart of Tokyo.<\/p>\n TOKYO<\/span>, April 15, 2026 \/PRNewswire\/ —\u00a0Dressed as a samurai and with his trademark energetic attitude,\u00a0Dr. Simi\u2014the face of Farmacias Similares\u2014\u00a0<\/b>greets curious visitors stopping by the company’s pop-up store in central Shibuya, in the heart of Tokyo<\/b>. Through this, Grupo Por un Pa\u00eds Mejor (GPUPM) aims to introduce the popular Mexican character to the Japanese public and open the door to expansion across Asia.<\/p>\n “It’s impressive to see people’s reactions,” V\u00edctor Gonz\u00e1lez Herrera<\/b>, president of Farmacias Similares and executive president of GPUPM, told EFE after learning that more than 600 people had already visited the store.<\/p>\n The pop-up shop, which will remain open for one month\u00a0in front of the iconic Shibuya 109 department store<\/b>, spans three floors featuring interactive experiences, where visitors can also purchase merchandise such as Dr. Simi plush toys and backpacks.<\/p>\n “The samurai Simi is a huge hit,”<\/b> Gonz\u00e1lez Herrera said, adding that the opening will also help the group understand what resonates most with Japanese audiences and seek potential partners in the market.<\/p>\n “Japan is going to love Dr. Simi”<\/b><\/p>\n One of the reasons GPUPM<\/b> chose Japan as its gateway to Asia is that, much like in Mexico, there is a strong cultural affinity for characters known as “yuru-kyara”<\/b>\u2014mascots often used by brands, stores, and even local governments.<\/p>\n “These characters are part of Japanese culture, so I’m sure that people in Japan are going to love Dr. Simi,” Carina, a flight attendant, whose Instagram account “Carina y Simi” has more than 13,000 followers, told EFE.<\/p>\n Carina, who travels around the world for work, posts photos of her\u00a0Dr. Simi<\/b> plush toys visiting countries such as Poland, Russia, and Zimbabwe. Although she does not recall the exact number, she estimates she has taken the character to more than 30 countries.<\/p>\n In this regard, Gonz\u00e1lez Herrera said that beyond its viral appeal and popularity as a mascot, what makes Dr. Simi a success is precisely how he connects with peopl<\/b>e<\/b>. The executive also noted that all the plush toys are made in a factory that employs people with disabilities.<\/p>\n Grupo Por un Pa\u00eds Mejor (GPUPM) is a coalition of institutions and commercial enterprises dedicated to building a fairer nation for everyone They currently comprise four social enterprises and four commercial enterprises, including Farmacias Similares.<\/p>\n Photo – https:\/\/mma.prnasia.com\/media2\/2955071\/Farmacias_Similares_1.jpg?p=medium600<\/a> \u00a0<\/p>\n![\"V\u00edctor](\"https:\/\/mma.prnasia.com\/media2\/2955071\/Farmacias_Similares_1.jpg?p=medium600\" "\\"V\u00edctor")
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V\u00edctor Gonz\u00e1lez Herrera, president of Farmacias Similares and executive president of GPUPM, with Dr. Simi\u2014the face of Farmacias Similares\u2014during the opening of the company\u2019s pop-up store in central Shibuya, in the heart of Tokyo. EFE\/Rodrigo Reyes<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Photo –\u00a0https:\/\/mma.prnasia.com\/media2\/2955072\/Farmacias_Similares_2.jpg?p=medium600<\/a>
Photo –\u00a0https:\/\/mma.prnasia.com\/media2\/2955073\/Farmacias_Similares_3.jpg?p=medium600<\/a><\/p>\n![Carina, a flight attendant whose Instagram account is called \"Carina y Simi,\" attended the opening of the company\u2019s pop-up store in central Shibuya, in the heart of Tokyo. EFE\/Rodrigo Reyes](\"https:\/\/mma.prnasia.com\/media2\/2955072\/Farmacias_Similares_2.jpg?p=medium600\" "Carina, a flight attendant whose Instagram account is called \\"Carina y Simi,\\" attended the opening of the company\u2019s pop-up store in central Shibuya, in the heart of Tokyo. EFE\/Rodrigo Reyes")
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Carina, a flight attendant whose Instagram account is called “Carina y Simi,” attended the opening of the company\u2019s pop-up store in central Shibuya, in the heart of Tokyo. EFE\/Rodrigo Reyes<\/span><\/p>\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/mma.prnasia.com\/media2\/2955073\/Farmacias_Similares_3.jpg?p=medium600\" "\\"The")
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The Farmacias Similares pop-up shop is open for one month in front of the iconic Shibuya 109 department store. EFE\/Rodrigo Reyes<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<\/a>
V\u00edctor Gonz\u00e1lez Herrera, president of Farmacias Similares and executive president of GPUPM, with Dr. Simi\u2014the face of Farmacias Similares\u2014during the opening of the company\u2019s pop-up store in central Shibuya, in the heart of Tokyo. EFE\/Rodrigo Reyes<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Photo –\u00a0https:\/\/mma.prnasia.com\/media2\/2955072\/Farmacias_Similares_2.jpg?p=medium600<\/a>
Photo –\u00a0https:\/\/mma.prnasia.com\/media2\/2955073\/Farmacias_Similares_3.jpg?p=medium600<\/a><\/p>\n