[English/日本語]
February 22 is "Cat Day" in Japan. In Japan, February 22 is "Cat Day", and there is a lot of excitement as people upload pictures of cats on social media. Do you like cats? Or do you prefer dogs? In this article, I would like to talk about the pet situation in Japan.
1 Cat boom
In Japan, many people have always owned dogs, but in 2017, the number of cat owners surpassed the number of dog owners. The reason for this is that Japan is an aging society. Dogs have to be accompanied on walks, and elderly people who are worried about their physical strength tend to choose cats that don't need to be walked. Also, more and more people are keeping pets because they are spending more time at home due to the influence of Corona. I wonder if it's the same in your country?
2Can international students have pets?
Very few international students have pets. To own a dog, you have to pay several hundred thousand yen at a pet store and also have to get shots. In addition, most apartments in Japan do not allow pets. However, sometimes people keep hamsters, which are relatively cheap and do not have as long a life span as dogs and cats. I heard a story about a Japanese language school that had a problem with a student who suddenly decided to return to his home country and asked them to take in his turtle. Pets are life. It is important to keep them responsibly.
3 If you miss your pet...
Some people who used to have pets in their home countries may become stressed out because they cannot interact with their pets during their long stay in Japan. Recently in Japan, there has been an increase in the number of cafes with cats and dogs, where you can casually interact with cats and dogs for just a fee and a drink. In addition to cats and dogs, some of these animal cafes also have birds and reptiles. Please try to use them.
Our school does not allow pets in the dormitories. However, there are cat cafes and dog cafes around the school. There is also a zoo just a few stops away from the school. If you are an animal lover, I think you will enjoy your study abroad experience at our school.
February 22 is "Cat Day" in Japan. Shops selling miscellaneous goods put cat illustrations on products, and people get excited posting them on social media. Do you like cats, or do you prefer dogs? This time, I will talk about the pet situation in Japan.
1 The cat boom
In Japan, many people have traditionally kept dogs, but in 2017 the number of cats kept exceeded the number of dogs. One reason is Japan's aging population. Because dogs need to be taken for walks, elderly people who worry about their strength tend to choose cats that do not require walks. Also, because people have been spending more time at home due to the impact of COVID-19, more people are getting pets. Is it the same in your country?
2 Can international students keep pets?
Very few international students keep pets. To buy a dog at a pet shop costs several hundred thousand yen, and vaccinations are also required. In addition, most apartments in Japan prohibit keeping pets. However, some people sometimes keep hamsters, which are relatively inexpensive and do not live as long as dogs or cats. I heard a story about a Japanese language school that was troubled when a student who suddenly had to return home asked them to take in his turtle. Pets are lives. It is important to keep them responsibly.
3 If you miss your pet...
Students who had pets in their home countries can become stressed during a long study abroad period if they cannot interact with animals. Recently in Japan, cat and dog cafes have increased, allowing casual interaction with cats and dogs for just an entrance fee and a drink. Some of these animal cafes also feature birds and reptiles as well as cats and dogs. Please give them a try.
Our school forbids keeping pets in the dormitories. However, there are cat cafes and dog cafes near the school. There is also a zoo a few stations away from the school. If you love animals, I think you will enjoy studying abroad at our school.
Show original text