Motoo Abiko, the creator of pop culture phenomenon Doraemon (a robot cat with a magic pocket), has been awarded the Order of the Rising Sun by the Japanese government:

Read It!

I’m not familiar with the Order of the Rising Sun, but it sounds totally impressive. And if anyone deserves it, it’s the guy who created creepy-cute Doraemon, who is freaking everywhere in Japan. He has his own fruit snacks, for crying out loud.

I wish my cat had a magic pocket. I checked, but she’s really just fat, so what I thought was a magic pocket was loose skin on her tummy. Ah well, I can’t have everything I guess.

At least my cat has ears.

It seems anyone can be a train stationmaster in Japan!

Link

“She works nine to five and takes Sundays off,” Yamaki said.

As a cat owner, I have to say, I can’t imagine paying for the privilege of putting up with the little monster.

Just kidding. Mei Mei is a sweetheart (even if she does shed hair like nobody’s business) and I’m glad these people are getting to hang with cats, and that the cats have a good home with lots of people to love on them.

Link

It seems Japan isn’t satisfied just blowing Americans out of the water in the Cute Competition; even their cats are cuter than American cats!

Except for Mei Mei, of course. ^_^

…but it’s kinda cool in a mid-90’s I-took-too-much-ecstacy sorta way.

Link