N.E.K.O. is short for "Nippon Enthusiasts & Knowledgeable Otaku." This button, submitted by Kierstin Griffin from the N.E.K.O. Japanese Culture Club in Cleves, OH, was designed to promote the Club at Kierstin's college. Nippon means Japanese; Otaku means fan of Japanese art and animation; and Neko is the Japanese word for cat. Kierstin reports that the buttons "were a huge success! Everyone in our club has one pinned to their purse or book bag. The badges have helped us gain a great deal of recognition and new members for our student organization."