Japan's Kishi Station, a southern mainland hub, has a unique tradition of feline stationmasters. The station's third cat, Yontama, was recently promoted to the top job, following in the paw prints of her predecessors, Tama and Nitama. This is a continuation of a remarkable story that began in the mid-2000s when the station was on the brink of closure due to low ridership. Tama, a calico cat, became the sole employee and stationmaster, bringing the station back to life. Her popularity led to a complete redesign in 2010, inspired by her image. After Tama's passing in 2015, Nitama took over, and now Yontama has been promoted. Yontama's colleagues, Gotama and Rokutama, also work at Idakiso Station, showcasing the dedication of these feline employees. The US could learn from this unique approach to transit management, as high-speed rail and cat-friendly stations could enhance our travel experiences. Imagine the joy of having cats guide us through stations! Perhaps it's time to bring high-speed rail to the States and give our stations a feline makeover.
