Cat helps Japanese town economy grow

KISHIKAWA, Japan

She has become the honorary station master at the local train stop. Tama belongs to the nearby grocery store, but started hanging out at the station.

A study by Osaka University shows the cat has single handedly pumped $10 million into the town.

People just can't stay away. They take photos with the cat, buy "Tama cat" merchandise and generally give a lift to an otherwise sleepy town.

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