On 7/1, Japanese officials held an appointment ceremony for Yontama, a calico cat, as the stationmaster of Kishi Station on the Kishigawa line in Wakayama prefecture. This appointment continues a nearly 20-year tradition that has successfully boosted tourism.

Yontama's predecessor, Nitama, passed away in 11/2025. During the ceremony, Wakayama Electric Railway Company also introduced Rokutama, a new cat intern.

New cat stationmaster Yontama (right) and cat intern Rokutama, 7/1. Kyodo

The Kishigawa electric railway line first gained national attention in 2007 with the appointment of Tama as its initial cat stationmaster. This innovative approach successfully attracted both domestic and international tourists, helping the railway sustain operations despite financial challenges.

This initiative inspired similar models across Japan. Numerous struggling local railway lines have since appointed dogs, cats, rabbits, and other animals as stationmasters.

Mitsunobu Kojima, President of Wakayama Electric Railway Company, introduces cat Yontama, 7/1. Kyodo

Chisako Asano, 52, a housewife from Fujiidera, Osaka prefecture, and a long-time admirer since Tama's tenure, expressed her hope that the cat stationmasters will continue to "watch over" the Kishigawa line.

Mitsunobu Kojima, President of Wakayama Electric Railway Company, stated his expectation that Yontama will "take a leading role as stationmaster, especially as local railway lines confront significant turning points."

Tama, the first-generation cat stationmaster, at Kishi Station, Wakayama prefecture, Japan. Wakayama Electric Railway

By Duc Trung (Sources: Kyodo, Mainichi, Asahi)