A Gundam robot is displayed at the Gundam factory in Yokohama, Kanagawa prefecture, Japan, on Monday. AFP

An 18-metre "Gundam" robot that can walk and move its arms was unveiled in Japan on Monday amid hopes that it will help invigorate tourism hit by COVID-19.

The robot is modelled after a figure in "Mobile Suit Gundam," a Japanese cartoon first launched in the late 1970s about enormous battle robots piloted by humans.

A Gundam robot is displayed during sunset at the Gundam factory in Yokohama. AFP

The series spawned multiple spin-offs and toys and gained a worldwide following.

It will be the centrepiece of the Gundam Factory Yokohama, a tourist attraction that opens on Dec.19 in the port city.

A robot is displayed at the Gundam factory in Yokohama. AFP

"I hope this will lead to stimulating tourism demand and revitalising local areas," Chief Cabinet Secretary Katsunobu Kato told a news conference.

"Of course, we now have the coronavirus issue. I want people to tackle endeavours like this while making an effort to prevent the spread of infection."

Reuters