OBAMA, Japan (Reuters) - Hundreds of residents in the sleepy Japanese fishing port of Obama sang and danced on Wednesday to try to cheer up Barack Obama after his winning steak in the U.S. presidential primaries stalled. Wearing colorful T-shirts and headbands with the logo "I Love Obama", residents gathered at a public hall, singing songs and shouting "Obama, Obama, Obama!"
Around the town, businesses are selling everything from T-shirts, fish burgers and cakes to chopsticks with Obama's name.
Residents anxiously watched television showing victories for Hillary Clinton among Democrat Party voters in Ohio and Texas, where losses could have forced her out of the White House race.
"We should take this opportunity to make our town grow and prosper," kimono dealer Ikuyo Yamashita said, showing off her yellow kimono with the Obama name.
The town celebrated one minor victory -- a letter from the candidate thanking Mayor Toshio Murakami for sending him chopsticks and a Japanese good-luck charm.
In the letter, Obama said: "I'm touched by your friendly gesture... We share more than a common name; we share a common planet and common responsibility."
Murakami told Reuters on Wednesday that he wanted to see Obama in his town one day.
