February 22 is celebrated as Cat Day in Japan, and it has become a significant commercial opportunity for businesses. Known as 'Catnomics', the economic impact of cats is estimated to be around 3 trillion yen, showing a nearly 30% increase since 11 years ago. This trend suggests that the popularity of cat-related products and services continues to grow, with businesses eager to tap into this market on Cat Day.

In Tochigi Prefecture, the 'Kodama no Yu Yamaguchiya Ryokan' has been drawing in travelers eager to meet their famous resident cat, 'Mimitan', which ranked first in a recent list of sought-after inn cats. This recognition has led to a spike in bookings, with the inn's president expressing excitement over their highest-ever reservations during this period leading up to Cat Day, demonstrating the strong link between beloved cats and tourism.

As consumers show increased interest in cat-themed products around this time, various brands, including UCC Coffee and Seven-Eleven Japan, have launched cat-inspired offerings, like cat coffee sets and parfaits. The ongoing analysis by experts like Kansai University's Professor Katsuhiro Miyamoto estimates that Catnomics could reach nearly 3 trillion yen by 2026. This figure emphasizes the substantial impact of feline companionship on Japan's economy, comparable to 80% of the upcoming Osaka-Kansai Expo's expected economic results.