Cat Boosts Finances of Kishi, Japan by 1.1 Billion Yen
Tourists flock by the thousands to see Yama, boosting the small city’s finances by 1.1 billion yen in 2007.
With 55,000 more people having used the Kishigawa Line than would normally be expected, Tama is being credited with a contribution to the local economy calculated to have reached as much as 1.1 billion yen (10.44 million dollars) in 2007 alone, according to a study announced last week.
Katsuhiro Miyamoto, a professor at Kansai University’s School of Accountancy, said picture books and other merchandise featuring the feline stationmaster also produced significant economic effects.
A television appearance and other publicity surrounding Tama — who receives cat food in lieu of a salary — was worth 280 million yen, according to Miyamoto.
The former stray rose to national stardom in January 2007 when the railway company formally appointed her* as “stationmaster”. The station was formerly unmanned and losing money, but Tama turned things around. Tama later got her own spacious 1.8-square-meter office in the station (formerly the ticket window), fully equipped with a ventilation fan and a toilet.
Tama’s popularity eventually required that they hire an assistant (Mr. Nishiyama) for her. Mr Nishiyama helps guide visitors to Yama.
Here’s Tama in Action:
When Tama puts her front legs together, the patterns on her fur form a heart shape. It is said that it is good luck for couples to visit Tama and be shown the heart.
* Some stories referred to Tama as male, some as female. So my guess is that “Tama” is the Japanese equivalent of “Pat.”
It’s very rare to find a male calico, so we think Tama is a girl.
Hmm, hope dey is feeding him really good food and dat her litter gets cleaned each and effury time Tama uses it. Dat is da least dey can do fur a kitty dat brings in dat kinda cheddar…mmm cheddar…gotta go, hungry now.
“pat!”
harharhar!
that is awesome! i’m with ZSS, she should have a diamond tiara on…or, would it be a diamond baseball cap? “Pat” that is funny.
Yep I read about this kitty on yahoo news some time ago I think ~ a very pretty cat and a happy story…glad you’ve got this beautiful blog set up Skeezix and Catster – all the best
“Tama” is a generic cat name, kind of like Fido for dogs. I don’t think there’s an English equivalent: the name doesn’t have any connotation with “kitty” or any of the other nicknames we have for cats.
(”Nyan-chan,” which literally translated means “Meow-chan”—’chan’ is an affectionate honorific given to children, pets, or lovers—might be the Japanese equivalent of “kitty.”)
It’s wonderful that so many people visit her. I hope she’s happy there.
Ya know….
I heard that kitties in Japan gets all the sushi they want.
I’m thinkin’ bout going there for mine next vacation.
hi I love your catster articles and stories here. I love all kinds of cats really Calicos and tabby’s are my faverite.and I LOVE GARFIELD too.
Tama is one lucky cat! My predecessor at my house was also a “train station” cat from Japan, but they weren’t wise enough at Otsu Station to realize what a great mascot Fuji-san would have made. My Lady says he was an extremely cute gray-and-white little guy with “cattitude” and personality plus. Her son rescued him as a kitten, and after about three years he came to America to live for about eleven more.
I dont know how she did it, but mommy played the viddyoh bakwerds and I koodint understand a single word.
Mommy sez she red a story wile bak about how cats are reveared in Japan. Thare is a cat cafe in one city and peeple go thare jes to pet the kitties: stressed office workers or peeple who kant keep cats. Yoo shood Google it.
I luvs this kitty! I’m so proud of him for doing such a great job at work. I even posted about him, too!
Super snuzzy!
Aw-right! Cats an trains! Whoo-hoo! Maybe I can be stashunmaster fur Dad’s model trains an get extra food! Go Tama!
This is so adorable i’m glad a cat is making a difference.
Sushi?
If Yoo knew sushi
Like I know Sushi
Oh! Oh!
Oh wat a foodie!!!
I want a kewt hat and Meowmie’s Aych Oh trane set!!!
Tama is furry goods ta put up wifs all dat attenshun… we not able ta do dat… too much stuffoms… weze goh hide now.
Mawmee finks Tama is furry goods gurl n knohs hao ta be a good meowpurrson… fur dis trane stashun.
Bye Bye
–Katie Too n Bootsie Woo
Nyan-chan, or Tama, is a lovely kitty! He might actually be a boy because calico boys do exist. We know of one Calico is a special, favored color in Japan, too, and has a special name. How nice that they are all so fond of this kitty. We hope that grey station kitty gets a special position at the Hiroshima station!