Beloved cat stationmaster in Japan dies

Nitama was a female cat aged 15, who served as the second cat stationmaster at Kishi Station in Kinokawa, Wakayama Prefecture. - Photo: WAKAYAMA ELECTRIC RAILWAY

WAKAYAMA, (Japan): Nitama, who served as the second cat stationmaster at Kishi Station in Kinokawa, Wakayama Prefecture, passed away on Thursday (Nov 20), Wakayama Electric Railway Co. announced Friday (Nov 22).

Her appetite had declined since late October, and she had been resting from her stationmaster duties since Nov 4, the company said.

The firm will hold a company funeral at the station at 12.30pm on Dec 13.

Nitama was a female cat aged 15, equivalent to about 75 in human years.

Named Nitama, or Tama II, she served as a subordinate to the first cat stationmaster, the calico cat Tama.

Nitama’s adorable appearance helped promote the railway company and contributed to an increase in overseas tourists. - Photo: The Yomiuri Shimbun

After Tama passed away in June 2015, Nitama became the second stationmaster of Kishi Station on the Kishigawa Line.

Her adorable appearance helped promote the railway company and contributed to an increase in overseas tourists.

She was later “promoted” to roles such as “deputy president.” - The Japan News/ANN