Putin's 'peace' cat to Japan dies

Mir, the cat given to Japan's Akita governor Norihisa Satake by Russian President Vladimir Putin, died on Tuesday. The 12-year-old Siberian cat had been experiencing health problems. Akita Prefecture officials confirmed the death to Russian news agency TASS.

Putin gave the kitten to Satake in 2012 as a thank-you for an Akita dog, Yume (Dream), which Satake had gifted to the Russian president. The dog was given in appreciation for Russia's aid following the 2011 earthquake, tsunami, and subsequent Fukushima disaster. Putin, known for his fondness for dogs, reportedly chose a cat after learning Satake preferred felines.

Mir, meaning "peace" in Russian, faced a six-month quarantine upon arriving in Japan. Russian diplomats regularly visited the cat, ensuring its needs were met. Mir underwent another period of isolation during the Covid-19 pandemic. At that time, Satake commented on the cat's place in his family, saying, “It has a great appetite, it’s strong and cheerful, and it has a calm character. Mir gets along well with six other cats that live in our house."

"This is a special creature for me – my soul rests when I see its face," Satake added.

Satake is scheduled to hold a news conference about Mir's death on Monday.