Society

"Cat Day" in Japan

TOKYO, Feb 21 (News On Japan) - February 22nd is celebrated as "Cat Day" in Japan, with owners generously dishing out special treats for the nation's second most popular pet.

A survey by Intage reveals that 23.8% of households have pets, with dogs being the most popular (40.2%), followed by cats (35.1%).

The pet food market in Japan has seen an 11.7 percentage point increase compared to the previous year, with cat food showing significant growth. In particular, cat treat sales have approximately doubled in the last five years. Additionally, awareness of pet evacuation plans in case of disasters has risen, with 89% of respondents having some plan, a 4-point increase from last year. This heightened awareness is attributed to the Noto Peninsula earthquake, which emphasized the importance of pet evacuation. An increasing number of people have indicated that they would live with their pets in a car or a tent outdoors in such situations.

February 22nd is celebrated as Cat Day in Japan because the date, 2/22, can be pronounced as "ni ni ni" in Japanese, which sounds similar to the Japanese onomatopoeia for a cat's meow, "nyan nyan nyan." The Japan Pet Food Association officially established Cat Day in 1987 to promote the well-being of cats and to encourage people to adopt and care for them.

Source: ANN

Japan Troops Begin Bear Countermeasures

The worsening string of bear incidents across Akita Prefecture has prompted the deployment of the Ground Self-Defense Force to assist in countermeasures. On November 5th, fifteen members of the 21st Infantry Regiment based at the Akita garrison were sent to Kazuno City, where they began support activities such as transporting box traps for capturing bears.

What Is Sanaenomics?

The economic policy bannered by Prime Minister Takaichi as “Sanaenomics” is beginning to take shape, with expectations centering on lower gasoline prices and the restart of electricity and gas subsidies even as critics say the program’s substance remains unclear and insufficiently developed.

Typhoon No. 26 Forming, May Impact Japan

As of 3 p.m. on November 5th, a tropical depression over the sea near the Caroline Islands was slowly moving northward, with the Japan Meteorological Agency forecasting that it would develop into a typhoon within the next 24 hours. Once it forms, it will be designated as Typhoon No. 26.

Morning-After Pill to Be Sold Over the Counter by Year-End

Emergency contraceptive pills, used to prevent unintended pregnancies, are set to become available over the counter in Japan as early as by the end of this fiscal year, marking a major shift after nearly a decade of debate.

Crimes by U.S. Military Personnel Hit Record High in Okinawa

The number of U.S. military personnel arrested for criminal offenses in Okinawa has reached 77 so far this year, already surpassing the record total for all of 2024 as of the end of September.

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