One railway knows how to generate some good PR:

KINOKAWA, Wakayama — A 7-year-old cat called Tama has been named a special stationmaster at a railway station here by the local Wakayama Electric Railway.

Two other cats were named deputy stationmasters at the same Kishi Station on the Kishigawa Line in Kinokawa. Stationmaster Tama, wearing a railway cap, and two other cats often welcome passengers at unmanned Kishi Station.

The operator of the shop at the station has been keeping the three cats. Wakayama Electric Railway officials will give cat food to them as a reward for their “work.”