Super Stationmaster Cat Tama Welcomes Feline Apprentice

Super Stationmaster Tama throwing some serious shade to her likely successor

Tama the cat rose to fame in 2007 when she was named stationmaster at Kishi Station in Kinokawa, Wakayama Prefecture in Japan. Not only did her presence revitalize the nearly defunct train line, it also pumped a reported 10 million dollars into the local economy as tourists flocked to the station to get a glimpse of her. Tama wears a uniform, sits in her own office, and even inspired a custom train car, complete with her cartoonish image, and calico colored seats!

The 12-year-old cat has been holding court at the station for five years, but now that she's getting on in age, railway officials have decided its time to welcome her first "staff" member. Around 100 local residents and tourists recently flocked to a ceremony introducing her likely successor, a young calico named Nitama, however loyalists shouldn't fret. Tama, who is often seen napping on the job, will retain her title as acting station manager, while Nitama steps in to lend a helping paw.

Via The Japan Times