In Japan, Railway Stations Are Managed by Cats 0 69

In southern Japan, in Wakayama Prefecture, ordinary cats have been appointed as station masters at two railway stations. This was reported by the official website of the Wakayama Electric Railway company.

The cats Yontama and Fukutama received their new positions during a ceremonial event attended by representatives of the railway company. Yontama has been appointed as the station master of Kishi Station, while Fukutama will hold a similar position at Idakiso Station. Additionally, a calico cat named Rokutama has been designated as a candidate: she will be interning at both stations.

The duties of these feline station masters include staying at the station in a specially equipped office (a converted ticket booth), greeting passengers with their presence, and attracting tourists, which helps promote the Kishigawa railway line. The cats work on a schedule, wear special station master caps, and receive a salary, which is, however, given to them in the form of food.

The ceremony gathered more than 200 people, including local officials and residents.

The Tradition of Cat Station Masters on Japanese Railways

The practice of appointing furry station masters on the railway in Wakayama Prefecture began in January 2007. The first to hold this position at Kishi Station was an eight-year-old cat named Tama. Local authorities and railway workers aimed to increase passenger traffic on the Kishigawa line, which was threatened with closure due to financial difficulties. Tama's presence indeed significantly increased passenger traffic (by 17% in the first month) and brought about 1.1 billion yen to the local economy through tourism.