Cat News: Tama the Station Master 17 June 2026

One small station. One calico cat. One extraordinary story that changed an entire town. In this episode of Cat News, meet Tama — the stray cat who became one of Japan’s most unlikely public figures. What began with a station facing closure turned into a global phenomenon when Tama was appointed station master at Kishi Station in Wakayama. Dressed in a custom station hat and greeting passengers each day, she didn’t just attract attention — she helped revive local tourism, boost rail numbers, and inspire what became known as “Nekonomics.” From promotions through the corporate ranks to becoming an honorary railway president, Tama’s journey is equal parts heartwarming, surprising, and uniquely Japanese. Even after her passing, her legacy continues through successor station cats, a shrine built in her honour, and generations of visitors who still make the trip to say thank you. This is the story of the cat who proved that sometimes the right leader has whiskers.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.