Cats have recently become the most-owned pets in Japan, and their popularity continues to grow. This has led to feline celebrities, unusual products and apartments designed specifically with cat owners in mind. Our guest is zoologist Imaizumi Tadaaki. He talks about the history of cats in Japan, and the supernatural powers they were once thought to possess. He also talks about the number of feral cats in cities, and the problems that can arise when humans and animals live in close proximity.

いま日本は空前のネコブーム。ネコの飼育数はイヌを上回り、ネコ用のグッズやネコ付きの賃貸マンションなど様々なサービスが登場。その経済効果は２兆円との試算もある。ネコが庶民に広く飼われるようになった江戸時代には、ネコは幸せを呼ぶペットとして大切にされる一方で、化け猫伝説が生まれるなど、畏怖の対象でもあった。千年以上にわたるネコと日本人の関係をひも解きながら、ネコとのよりよいつきあい方を探る。