Funeral held for feline stationmaster

A funeral service was held at a railway station in Wakayama Prefecture for the late feline stationmaster known as Tama.Eight years ago, the calico cat was appointed stationmaster of Kishi Station, which is on a regional line operated by Wakayama Electric Railway.

The popular cat attracted people from across Japan, contributing to the struggling local railway and community. Before Tama's appointment, the local Kishigawa Line was near bankrupt.Tama died on June 22nd at the age of 16.

Sunday's funeral was attended by the woman who cared for Tama as a pet and the president of the railway. Other mourners included the governor of Wakayama Prefecture and a cat named Nitama, who has served as deputy stationmaster under Tama.