Tama the cat, Japan’s cutest stationmaster, has died

Maggie Hiufu Wong, CNN
1 minute read
Published 1:30 AM EDT, Thu June 25, 2015
Tama, the hero of Kishi Station, passed away this week at a local animal hospital. She had just celebrated her 16th birthday in April.
The cat hero —
Tama, the hero of Kishi Station, passed away this week at a local animal hospital. She had just celebrated her 16th birthday in April.
TORU YAMANAKA/AFP/Getty Images
Tama was appointed stationmaster of Kishi Station, a rural neighborhood 30 minutes from central Wakayama City in southeast Japan, in 2007.
Kishi Station —
Tama was appointed stationmaster of Kishi Station, a rural neighborhood 30 minutes from central Wakayama City in southeast Japan, in 2007.
Maggie Hiufu Wong/CNN
Tama is credited with saving the station from financial ruin. Since her appointment as stationmaster, she became known as a local mascot. Travelers poured in specifically to visit the cute worker.
Local celebrity —
Tama is credited with saving the station from financial ruin. Since her appointment as stationmaster, she became known as a local mascot. Travelers poured in specifically to visit the cute worker.
Maggie Hiufu Wong/CNN
Wakayama Electric Railway operates three adorable themed trains: Strawberry Train, Tama Train (pictured) and Toy Train.
Cute trains —
Wakayama Electric Railway operates three adorable themed trains: Strawberry Train, Tama Train (pictured) and Toy Train.
Maggie Hiufu Wong/CNN