Japan launches Cat Day

Press, 25 February 1987, Page 7

Japan launches Cat Day

NZPA-AP Tokyo A cat that travelled 370 km to return to its owner was named Japan’s “Model Cat” and prayers were offered for the longevity of house cats as more than 400 people gathered to launch the nation’s first annual Cat Day. “Cats are more than just pets. They radiate serenity and are essential for the well-being of humans,” Naoki Yanase, a professor of English literature at Seijo University, said in remarks rejecting the notion that cats were selfish and unresponsive to human af-

fection. The several dozen cats in the audience mostly lay quietly on their owners’ laps during the 3 -hour ceremony. February 22 was chosen as Cat Day after nearly 9000 cat lovers were polled by the Executive Cat Day Committee, a group of celebrities fond of cats. The date, 2-22 in Japanese, is pronounced “ni-ni-ni,” approximating the “nyan-nyan-nyan” that is the Japanese equivalent of “meow-meow-meow.” Presenting the model cat, the actress, Mio Takagi, told the audience in a

Tokyo auditorium how Junichi Suga’s pet, Miki, which had disappeared on a family visit to the countryside, found its way back home after a 19month odyssey. Takagi praised the hefty orange, gray and white cat for “bravery , and perseverance.” I The Executive Cat Day Committee decided to honour her as a representative of the 3.17 million pet cats in Japan. About 4.5 per cent of Japanese households own cats — an average of 1.7 cats for each of those households. In Australia, more than 40 per cent of all households have cats.