Western cat island ruled by army of felines exactly who outnumber humans six to a single.

The island is overrun with additional than 120 cats which were originally brought in to face mice – but currently they outnumber people six one.

An army of feral pet cats rules a remote tropical isle in southern Japan outnumbering humans six one.

More than 120 pet cats swarm the island with only several humans for company, mostly pensioners who did not join the waves of migrants seeking work inside the cities after World Conflict Two.

The cats were originally introduced on the mile-long island of Aoshima to face mice that plagued fishermen’s boats, but have taken in the area since multiplying within the last few fifty years.

Aoshima, a 30-minute ferry ride over coast of Ehime prefecture, ended up home to 900 individuals in 1945.

Swarm: Cats crowd around village nurse as she carries pet food to the designated feeding place

The only sign of human activity now could be the boatload of day-trippers from your mainland, visiting what is locally referred to as Cat Island.

With no restaurants, cars, shops or maybe kiosks selling snacks, Aoshima isn’t tourist haven. But cat lovers aren’t complaining.

“There is a ton of cats here, then there was such a cat witch who turned out to feed the cats that was quite fun, ” claimed 27-year-old Makiko Yamasaki. “So I’d desire to come again. ”

The allure of cats seriously isn’t surprising in a country that gave the earth Hello Kitty, a cartoon character considered the epitome regarding cuteness.

Six to one: There are 120 cats and just 22 humans living on the island

Cat cafes have long been popular in Tokyo, catering to fans who can’t maintain your animals at home on account of strict housing regulations in which often forbid pets.

The cats of Aoshima aren’t too picky, surviving on the rice balls, energy bars or potatoes they cadge away from tourists. In the lack of natural predators, they roam the island without concern.

Not all the inhabitants are admirers, though.

One elderly woman shooed the animals away that has a stick when they dug up her yard.

Feeding time: The cats are happy to take food from tourists who come to the island to see the mass of furry felines

Locals making the effort to keep the feline population at bay – at least 10 cats are actually neutered. Residents haven’t taken too kindly towards tourists either.

They don’t mind them coming, but need to be left in peace.

“If people coming to the island find your cats healing, then I think it’s great, ” said 65-year-old Hidenori Kamimoto, who ekes out an income as a fisherman. “I just hope that it’s done in a fashion that doesn’t become a burden within the people who live here. “.