Cats have become a popular companion as people spend more time at home amid the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic, and manufacturers are taking advantage of the trend. In 2022, the economic effect of "Nekonomics," or cat economics, is expected to reach almost 2 trillion yen.
Feb. 22 is Cat Day, as the Japanese word for two, or "ni," sounds similar to a cat's cry of "nyan" (meow). This year's Cat Day was seen as particularly special, since 2022 brought the total number of twos in the date to six.
Insect repellent and deodorant maker S.T. Corp. entered the pet products business on Cat Day this year with the launch of kitty litter that includes a deodorant component extracted from Sakhalin fir.
