First-Ever Cat Corporate Executive Named in Japan

by Monica Monzingo (Subscribe to Monica Monzingo's posts): Jan 19th 2010 @ 11:00AM Filed Under: Cats, Pets News

Toru Yamanaka, AFP/Getty Images

In Japan, a 10-year-old cat named Tama has been promoted to an executive position at the Wakayama Electric Railway Co. Promoted, you say? That's right! Tama has quickly climbed the corporate cat tree with promotion after promotion since she assumed her first position as stationmaster of Kishi Station in January 2007. It seems her superiors felt she was ready for a bigger challenge.

In fact, the company says Tama has been instrumental in increasing ridership by about 300,000, and they gave her the promotion "in recognition of her contribution to expanding the customer base," the Manichi Daily News reports. Tama will continue to serve as stationmaster while tackling this new role, although she did not accept a wage increase (and her payment currently is rendered in the form of cat food). It also doesn't sound like she'll have to take on any of the more stressful parts of being a corporate executive. Her job description includes greeting customers as they enter the station, posing for photos with tourists, and napping.

The company held an official appointment ceremony for Tama, and about 100 fans came to support the feline, says the Manichi Daily News. In addition, plans are in motion to rebuild Kishi Station into the shape of a cat's face this summer. Success: She has it!

Tags: cat executive, CatExecutive, japanese subway cat, JapaneseSubwayCat, tama

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#1 alphama333 1-19-2010 @ 12:22PM

Now we just need to elect a real canine or feline to the whitehouse and the cat or dog can be President Cat or Dog and will probably run the USA better than it already is. haha!

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#2 GreyhoundBabe 1-21-2010 @ 10:23PM

Ok...maybe there is just a touch too much Catnip tea being poured in Japan..I think this is a quirky (and cute) story....All hail the leader disguised in the cat suit....hope Tama lives a long life she is great PR ( or should it be PURR) .

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#3 Foopets 1-22-2010 @ 9:18PM

so cute!

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