Sanrio Lead Designer Yuko Yamaguchi to Step Down After 46 Years
三麗鷗首席設計師山口裕子在職 46 年後將卸任
In February 2026, Sanrio made a historic announcement that Yuko Yamaguchi is stepping down as the lead designer of Hello Kitty after 46 years.
2026年2月，三麗鷗（ㄙㄢㄌㄧˋㄡ）發布了一項歷史性的公告，宣布山口裕子（ㄧˋㄗˇ）在擔任Hello Kitty首席設計師46年後將卸任。
Under her guidance, Hello Kitty collaborated with high-fashion brands like Balenciaga and captured the hearts of fans worldwide through the popular "kawaii" aesthetic.
在她的指導下，Hello Kitty與Balenciaga等高級時裝品牌合作，並透過深受歡迎的「卡哇伊（ㄎㄚㄨㄚ ㄧ）」美學贏得了全球粉絲的心。
While she is retiring from the lead designer position, Yamaguchi will continue to serve as an advisor, ensuring a smooth transition for her successor, a designer known as "Aya."
儘管她將卸下首席設計師職務，山口仍將繼續擔任顧問，確保她的繼任者，即名為「Aya」的設計師，能順利接棒。
This move, which Sanrio calls the passing of the baton from the third to the fourth generation, marks the end of an era.
這一被三麗鷗稱為從第三代傳承至第四代的舉動，象徵著一個時代的終結。
At 70 years old, Yamaguchi leaves behind a legacy of iconic designs, including characters like Dear Daniel and Charmmy.
現年70歲的山口留下了一系列標誌性設計的遺產，包括Dear Daniel和Charmmy等角色。
Her work has cemented Hello Kitty as a permanent fixture in global pop culture, and her mentorship will help maintain the brand's core identity as it prepares for future projects, including new films and theme park attractions.
她的工作使Hello Kitty鞏固了在全球流行文化中不可撼動的地位，而她的指導將有助於在品牌準備迎接未來項目（包括新電影和主題樂園設施）時，維護其核心識別。
