[Sunday Culture] Japan Becoming an Increasingly 'Cat Paradise'... "Elderly Find Walking Difficult Due to Aging"

Popularity Steadily Increasing Over Dogs That Are Burdensome to Walk
Raised Since the Ancient Yayoi Period

Editor's NoteOn a sluggish Sunday for both body and mind, a reporter from the International Department brings you an interesting read related to Japanese culture.

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeon Jinyoung] Do you like cats? I originally liked dogs, but before I knew it, I was completely captivated by the charm of cats. Recently, I went on a business trip to Okinawa, Japan. Everywhere I went, cats greeted me, making for a happy time. They were neutered, didn’t run away when they saw people, and rather approached and rubbed against me, completely stealing my heart.

Cats of Okinawa.

Do you prefer dogs or cats? In Japan, there are beloved dog breeds like Shiba Inu, so the competition is quite close. In Japan, people are divided into the “dog faction” and the “cat faction.” When breaking the ice, people often ask, “Are you on the dog side or the cat side?” In Korea, cats are mainly associated with young people, but it seems that more households in Japan keep cats compared to Korea.

It seems that Japan is widely recognized as a “cat paradise.” There is even a term called “cat culture” in Japan, reflecting how cats are integrated into daily life. For example, the “Maneki-neko,” a cat figurine that raises one paw to welcome customers in restaurants, is a cat. Near Fukuoka, there is Ainoshima Island, home to about 200 cats. Recently, a ryokan where you can stay overnight with cats became a hot topic in Korea.

According to the annual dog and cat ownership survey conducted by the Japan Pet Food Association, in the fall of 2018, there were 8.9 million dogs and 9.64 million cats, with the number of cats surpassing dogs. This shows that the love for cats is higher in Japan than in Korea. Today, let's take a look at when Japan started to love cats and explore that history.

A cat in front of a restaurant on Kokusai Street in Okinawa.

In Japan, there is evidence that domestic cats, not wildcats, were kept from the Yayoi period, which corresponds to 300 BCE to 250 CE. During the Nara and Heian periods, from the 7th to 12th centuries, cats began to be kept as pets in earnest, indicating that the love for cats started quite a long time ago.

It is also said that among the ancestors of today’s Japanese cats are Chinese cats. When Buddhist scriptures were brought by ship from China to Japan, cats were kept to prevent rats from gnawing on the books, and at that time, Chinese cats were introduced to Japan.

Regardless of their country of origin, cats became popular mainly among the aristocracy. There are records of kings inheriting cats from the Tang Dynasty. As aristocrats became deeply fond of cats, the cats brought to Japan were less about catching mice and more about living as beloved companion cats. It was common to put bells on their necks and keep them indoors only.

As a result, the price of cats naturally rose, and traders who caught cats to sell to the wealthy flourished. In the 16th century, there was even a village notice stating, “It is forbidden to steal cats. All who buy or sell cats will be severely punished.” Commoners could only dream of keeping cats, so they bought and hung cat pictures as talismans to catch mice on farms.

So when did stray cats start appearing in Japan? As cats became expensive and fewer households let cats outside to catch mice, neighborhoods became rat paradises. Consequently, orders were issued to release cats outdoors. However, some aristocrats had servants watch the cats to prevent them from running away, which is why in old Japanese paintings, maids are often depicted holding and caring for cats beside their masters.

Commoners began keeping cats after the Meiji period. As Western cats were introduced and supply increased, people started keeping cats. Later, during Japan’s rapid economic growth, Western dog culture was also introduced, leading to an increase in dog owners as well.

Because of this long history, Japan has unique cat breeds. Depending on the region, some cats have short tails or key-shaped curved tails. The key-shaped tail is a characteristic of cats from the Nagasaki region, descendants of breeds that came from Southeast Asia to Nagasaki during the Edo period.

Short-tailed cats are linked to Japanese superstition. In Korea, some people keep their distance from cats, believing them to be spiritual creatures, and in Japan, there is a legend that “cats with long tails, when they grow old, split their tails into two and become yokai called ‘Nekomata.’” Short-tailed cats are actually mutants, but due to this superstition, short-tailed cats were intentionally bred in Japan.

A Japanese cat with a short tail. (Photo by Nekonokimochi Magazine website)

In any case, Japan’s love for cats is ongoing. Especially as Japan’s aging population rapidly increases, the number of cats kept is expected to rise. Unlike dogs, cats do not require walks, making them preferred by elderly people. A Japanese media outlet reported, “Among people in their 50s and 60s, the proportion of dog owners is decreasing year by year. It seems to be a burden for middle-aged and older owners.”

Today’s article sided with the cat faction, but whether dog or cat, how can we fully express the happiness animals bring? Have a great weekend, meow!