Feline stationmaster in Fukushima Pref.

Feline stationmaster in Fukushima Pref.

Photo taken on Nov. 5, 2023, shows Sakura, a female cat who was appointed as the third-generation honorary stationmaster of Aizu Railway Co.'s Ashinomaki Onsen Station in Aizuwakamatsu, Fukushima Prefecture, northeastern Japan, the same day, replacing her brother who died in October 2022.

Feline stationmaster in Fukushima Pref.

Feline stationmaster in Fukushima Pref.

Photo taken on Nov. 5, 2023, shows Sakura, a female cat who was appointed as the third-generation honorary stationmaster of Aizu Railway Co.'s Ashinomaki Onsen Station in Aizuwakamatsu, Fukushima Prefecture, northeastern Japan, the same day, replacing her brother who died in October 2022.

Kitten named 'apprentice attendant' at rail station

Kitten named 'apprentice attendant' at rail station

AIZUWAKAMATSU, Japan - Michiko Kobayashi, manager of Aizu Railway Co.'s Ashinomaki Onsen Station in Aizuwakamatsu, Fukushima Prefecture, northeastern Japan, holds a kitten appointed as an "apprentice attendant" on July 28, 2014. She hopes the kitten will succeed an aging "cat stationmaster" in the near future.

Kitten named 'apprentice attendant' at rail station

Kitten named 'apprentice attendant' at rail station

AIZUWAKAMATSU, Japan - A kitten named an "apprentice attendant" at Aizu Railway Co.'s Ashinomaki Onsen Station in Aizuwakamatsu, Fukushima Prefecture, northeastern Japan, sits on a bench on July 28, 2014.

Funeral for stationmaster cat Bus held in Fukushima Pref.

Funeral for stationmaster cat Bus held in Fukushima Pref.

The male cat Love, who became honorary stationmaster at Aizu Railway's Ashinomaki Onsen Station in December 2015, sits by a photo of his predecessor, the female cat Bus, during her funeral at the station in the city of Aizuwakamatsu in Fukushima Prefecture, northern Japan, on May 1, 2016. Around 300 people attended the ceremony for Bus, who died on April 22, at an estimated age of 18, equivalent to 100 in human years. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Funeral for stationmaster cat Bus held in Fukushima Pref.

Funeral for stationmaster cat Bus held in Fukushima Pref.

A funeral for former stationmaster cat Bus is held at Aizu Railway's Ashinomaki Onsen Station in the city of Aizuwakamatsu in Fukushima Prefecture, northern Japan, on May 1, 2016, with around 300 people in attendance. The female cat, who became the honorary stationmaster in 2008 and was succeeded by Love the previous December, died on April 22, at an estimated age of 18, equivalent to 100 in human years. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Another cat appointed to succeed Bus the stationmaster

Another cat appointed to succeed Bus the stationmaster

Love, the newly appointed feline "station master" of Ashinomaki-Onsen Station, is pictured at the station in Aizuwakamatsu, a town in the northeastern Japan prefecture of Fukushima, on Dec. 24, 2015. The same day, Love succeeded Bus, the first cat to have taken on the role in 2008, who is retiring due to old age. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Another cat appointed to succeed Bus the stationmaster

Another cat appointed to succeed Bus the stationmaster

Love, the newly appointed feline "station master" of Ashinomaki-Onsen Station in Aizuwakamatsu, a town in the northeastern Japan prefecture of Fukushima, wears a Santa Claus costume on Dec. 24, 2015. Love succeeded the title from Bus, the first cat to have taken on the role in 2008 and who is retiring due to old age. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Another cat appointed to succeed Bus the stationmaster

Another cat appointed to succeed Bus the stationmaster

Children stroke Love, the newly appointed feline "station master" of Ashinomaki-Onsen Station in Aizuwakamatsu, a town in the northeastern Japan prefecture of Fukushima, on Dec. 24, 2015. The same day, Love succeeded Bus, the first cat to have taken on the role in 2008, who is retiring due to old age. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Another cat appointed to succeed Bus the stationmaster

Another cat appointed to succeed Bus the stationmaster

Love (L), the newly appointed feline "station master" of Ashinomaki-Onsen Station in Aizuwakamatsu, a town in the northeastern Japan prefecture of Fukushima, is pictured Dec. 24, 2015 alongside Bus, the first cat to have taken on the role, at a ceremony on marking the succession of the title due to Bus's retirement from old age. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Another cat appointed to succeed Bus the stationmaster

Another cat appointed to succeed Bus the stationmaster

Love (L), the newly appointed feline "station master" of Ashinomaki-Onsen Station in Aizuwakamatsu, a town in the northeastern Japan prefecture of Fukushima, is pictured Dec. 24, 2015 alongside Bus, the first cat to have taken on the role, at a ceremony on marking the succession of the title due to Bus's retirement from old age. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo