Since 2007, Tama the cat has held the rank of station master of the Kishi train station near Wakayama City. Tama is credited with saving the train station from financial ruin by attracting tourists who would come to the station just to see her hanging out in her office — a converted ticket booth — wearing a railway hat and collar.

According to Kyodo News: “The number of passengers on the line jumped to 2.27 million in fiscal 2014 from 1.92 million in fiscal 2005. Photos of Tama and other merchandise also sold well, leading to her appointment to acting president of Wakayama Electric Railway in January 2013.”

Sadly Tama passed away at the age of 16, which is approximately 80 in human years. At least Tama had a positive effect on the economy, which is more than what many people achieve in their lifetime.

To read about Tama the Japanese station master, click here.