From the Twitter log of Comiket 80 preparation committee, post-convention review.
http://togetter.com/li/175721

Comic Market 80 review session. #C80
posted by mikazuchitei at 2011/08/14 18:33:07 JST

Regarding Reporters - 1
We had a varied amount of reporters this year, as usual.
However this year, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) attended as well.
The MOFA and the MEXT have began to show understanding of and interest in Comiket, the Cosplay Summit, etc..
It seems like they're looking for a better way to continue to grow alongside otaku culture. #C80 #C80反省会
posted by mikazuchitei at 2011/08/15 01:08:18 JST

Regarding Reporters - 2
Rather than simply scouting out doujinshi or the like, the MOFA expressed admiration of the ability of the staff and participants to run an event of this level. #C80 #C80反省会
posted by mikazuchitei at 2011/08/15 01:10:24 JST

Regarding Reporters - 3
We told the MOFA, "If you come dressed in a suit, not only will you stick out, the attendees will immediately think 'Oooh, Tokyo prefecture is sending out recon, eh?', so please come in casual clothes." Upon being told this, one of the female employees came wearing cat ears. #C80 #C80反省会
posted by mikazuchitei at 2011/08/15 01:13:26 JST

Regarding Reporters - 4
In order to protect Comiket and Otaku culture, it's very important that we convey to previously uninterested parties that this culture is valuable and profitable. We want the MOFA to see us in this light. #C80 #C80反省会
posted by mikazuchitei at 2011/08/15 01:20:40 JST

This is just my personal opinion, but in sending in a MOFA employee in "Nekomimi mode", I think they were going for a personification of their department as a fluently multi-lingual, cat-ear wearing class representative of sorts. #C80 #C80反省会
posted by mikazuchitei at 2011/08/15 01:38:54 JST

There is a sketch made by an eyewitness.

http://twitpic.com/67j2ix

This isn't going to be the last we see of this. Not by a long shot.

I can't properly convey how amused I am by this right now.

Regarding Reporters - 3
We told the MOFA, "If you come dressed in a suit, not only will you stick out, the attendees will immediately think 'Oooh, Tokyo prefecture is sending out recon, eh?', so please come in casual clothes." Upon being told this, one of the female employees came wearing cat ears. #C80 #C80反省会
posted by mikazuchitei at 2011/08/15 01:13:26 JST

Perfectly sound strategy, NO ONE WOULD SUSPECT A CAT GIRL OF BEING A SPAH~

henmere said:

From the Twitter log of Comiket 80 preparation committee, post-convention review.
http://togetter.com/li/175721

...

In case that link ever dies, here is the original text of the translated posts

御雷亭の触手な般若 @mikazuchitei
2011-08-14 18:33:07
コミックマーケット80 反省会開始。#C80

2011-08-15 01:08:18
取材関連1 取材関連は大体いつも通りの取材が多かった。いつも通りではなかった物として、外務省が取材に来た。コスプレサミット等、外務省や文科省は、コミケに理解や興味を示してくれている。オタク文化と共生する方法を模索している感じ。 #C80 #C80反省会

2011-08-15 01:10:24
取材関連2 外務省の人は同人誌等ではなく、この大人数を統率できるイベント運営の手腕に興味を示し、参加者、スタッフの手腕に感心していた。 #C80 #C80反省会

2011-08-15 01:13:26
取材関連3 なお、外務省の方に、取材の際スーツだと会場で浮く上に、都職員の偵察と、参加者が過剰反応しかねないのでカジュアルな服でと伝えたら、女性職員の一人はネコミミヘアバンドを付けて来た。 #C80 #C80反省会

2011-08-15 01:20:40
取材関連4 コミケやオタク文化を守るためには、コミケやオタク文化にに興味のない層に、コミケやオタク文化は「貴方達にとって有益な物です」と伝える努力が必要。外務省の人達にそう思ってもらえていると良いね。 #C80 #C80反省会

2011-08-15 01:38:54
個人的意見になるけれど、外務省職員ネコミミモードの話は、外務省の擬人化に外国語ペラペラな、ネコミミを付けた委員長タイプというベクトルを打ち立てたと思う。 #C80 #C80反省会