Cat Yontama takes charge of Kishi station

Wearing a hat and a medal in a full ceremonial setting, Yontama has taken charge as stationmaster of a railway station in Japan. While every station normally has a human stationmaster to oversee operations, Yontama’s appointment has drawn special attention because it is not a person but a cat.

Last Wednesday, Yontama was formally appointed stationmaster at Kishi station in western Japan. Many fans, photographers and local officials attended the ceremony, where Wakayama Electric Railway president Mitsunobu Kojima personally placed a medal around Yontama’s neck.

Those involved say the fun and symbolic role is not merely ceremonial, but also plays an important part in keeping a rural railway station in Japan viable.

Yontama is the third cat stationmaster on the Kishigawa Line. Nitama held the role for nearly ten years before dying in November last year, after which Yontama was chosen as the new stationmaster.

Another cat, Rokutama, was also introduced at the event, not as an apprentice but as a future candidate for the stationmaster post, drawing loud applause from the audience.