Aoshima, Ehime
Aoshima (青島, Aoshima), also known as Cat Island (猫の島, Neko no shima), is an island in Ehime Prefecture, Japan, known for its large number of feline residents and small number of human residents. Felines have been reported by news outlets to outnumber humans by ratios between 6:1 and 10:1, but as elderly inhabitants of the island have died, the ratio has greatly increased to almost 36:1. Felines were introduced to combat rodents on fishing boats, but remained on the island and reproduced in large numbers.
Native name: 青島 | |
|---|---|
Aoshima in 1981 | |
Aoshima Location in Japan | |
| Geography | |
| Location | Seto Inland Sea |
| Coordinates | 33.736°N 132.482°E |
| Area | 0.49 km2 (0.19 sq mi) |
| Coastline | 4.2 km (2.61 mi) |
| Highest elevation | 90.8 m (297.9 ft) |
| Administration | |
Japan | |
| Region | Shikoku |
| Prefecture | Ehime Prefecture |
| City | Ōzu, Ehime |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 6 (2019) |
| Ethnic groups | Japanese |
The feline inhabitants of Aoshima are fed by food donations from all over Japan. The cats also eat the small creatures of the island and some food from visitors.
The island is roughly 1 mile (1.6 km) long. It was formerly part of Nagahama in Kita District, but as of 2005, is part of Ōzu.
The human population has decreased since sardine fisheries depleted and jobs moved to cities. As of February 2019, only six human residents live on Aoshima.
The New York Times reported on May 10, 2023, that the island's human population has dropped to five.