00:10In Japan, cats aren't just pets, they are big business.
00:14Welcome to Catnomics, a filly in fixation word billions.
00:28Cats have deep roots in Japan, arriving in the Nara period to protect temple scriptures
00:33from mice.
00:34Today, they are cultural icons from Mane ki Neko, beckoning cats, bringing luck to starring
00:40in literature like Natsume So Sikki's I'm a Cat and modern hits.
00:44Japan even has an official cat day on February 22nd, sounding like Nya Nya Nya.
01:03Japan has about 8.8 million pet cats, more than dogs.
01:08Households spend lavishly premium food, toys and care, averaging significant lifetime costs
01:14per cat.
01:15The broader pet food market alone is billions with cats, a major driver.
01:32Cat cafes exploded in popularity, offering stress relief in busy cities like Tokyo.
01:37Destinations like Tashirojima or Aoshima, cat islands draw tourists worldwide, where felines
01:45outnumber humans.
01:46Neighborhoods like Yanaka Ginza in Tokyo are cat towns, booming with themed shops and souvenirs.
02:07Economist Katsuhiro Miyamoto of Kansai University coined Nekonomics.
02:13His latest estimate, cats will add nearly US$ 8.8 billion to Japan's economy in 2026, including
02:21food, cafes, merch, books and tourism.
02:24That's comparable to major events like the Osaka Expo.
02:28Cat imagery sells everything.
02:42Challenges include Japan's ageing population and declining birth rates, which could mean
02:47fewer future cat owners.
02:49Yet, cats continue to provide companionship and economic zen.
02:54Japan's love for cats shows no sign of slowing.
02:57In a stressful world, these furry zen masters are not just cute, they are economic superstars.
03:03What's your favourite cat spot in Japan?
03:05The obese cat.
03:08Can you find your favorite cat fans Mauк in Europa?
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