Japan's cat craze fuels a $16 billion market while shelters struggle for funds

Japan’s affection for felines has turned into a multi-trillion-yen industry, with 2024 spending forecast at 2.9 trillion yen - a sum that rivals the projected economic boost from the 2025 Osaka World Expo. The concept of “Nekonomics,” introduced by Kansai University emeritus professor Katsuhiro Miyamoto, aggregates expenditures on cat food, veterinary services, cafés, games and tourism to cat-rich islands. Despite the scale, Naomi Furukawa, director of the Chiyoda Nyan to Naru Café shelter, reports that none of this revenue reaches rescue operations, which depend on limited public grants and private donations.

Chiyoda, the least-populated Tokyo district, abolished the killing of stray cats in 2011 and now employs trap-neuter-return, spending roughly 150,000 yen per animal for required health examinations. Care costs average about 200,000 yen per cat, often borne by the shelter. The most pressing issue, according to Furukawa, is the growing number of cats abandoned by seniors moving into care facilities or passing away. High-profile adoptions by Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako have helped promote shelter adoption.