A money-losing train company in Japan had found the purr-fect mascot to draw customers and bring back business – a tabby cat named Tama. The Wakayama Electric Railway had to axe all staff at Kishi station in April 2006 in western Japan.
Wearing a black uniform cap and posing for photos with countless passengers who are now flocking in from across the nation, the 9-year-old female cat is credited with boosting the firm’s revenue by 10%. In January 2008, the cat was promoted to “super station master” in a special ceremony attended by the mayor and president of the company. The pet mascot even has its own office, a former ticket booth. The cat had been about to lose its place to live, with nearby store where Tama was raised being torn down. Now the station is her home.
All the calico cat needs to do is to sit by the entrance of Kishi Station and greet the passengers. Yoshiko Yamaki, the rail spokesman said that Tama never complains even though there are so many passengers touch her all over the place, she has patience and charisma, she is amazing cat and the perfect station master. Estimated revenue for the local economy from the tabby cat being on the job: 1.1 billion yen. Tama receives cat food in lieu of a salary.
Tama, who is “the only female in the managerial position” was promoted in January 2010 to the post of “Operating Officer” and became the first cat to be an executive of a railroad corporation. She also had two feline assistant stationmasters – an orange tabby cat named Miiko and Chibi.
The feline, who was raised at the station in the city of Kinokawa, is living proof of the Japanese belief that cats are lucky animals.
Maneki Neko is another famous Japanese cat, they believe the cat can bring good luck for its owner. Koi fish and goldfish are another animals that are considered lucky for the Japanese.
