AKITA — Mir, a Siberian cat gifted by Russian President Vladimir Putin, passed away recently without seeing the end of the ongoing war in Ukraine. The male cat, a symbol of friendship between Russia and Japan, was sent to Akita Governor Norihisa Satake in 2013.
The story of Mir dates back to 2012 when Akita Prefecture, in gratitude for Russia’s support following the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami, sent Putin a special gift—a female Akita Inu dog named Yume. In return, Putin sent the fluffy, gray Siberian cat to Akita, strengthening the bond between the two nations.
Satake named the cat “Mir,” meaning “peace” in Russian, as a hopeful gesture for improved relations between Japan and Russia. This was particularly significant given the ongoing disputes between Tokyo and Moscow, including issues over fisheries and the Northern Territories. The cat’s name reflected Satake’s desire for peaceful resolution.
During a meeting with the Russian ambassador to Japan, Satake expressed the importance of maintaining peace. He remarked that “peace must be maintained so that dreams can come true,” referencing the dog’s name, “Yume,” which means “dream” in Japanese.
However, the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine war in February 2022 cast a shadow over the relationship. Despite the invasion, Satake defended the peaceful nature of Mir, saying, “Our cat is innocent,” and denounced Russia’s actions, calling the invasion “extremely vicious” from a humanitarian perspective.
Mir, who arrived in Akita at about one year old, lived with Satake and his other cats. The governor, a passionate cat lover, frequently shared videos online of Mir relaxing with his feline companions.
Sadly, Mir’s health began to decline in June 2024, and after struggling with his appetite, he passed away on December 3 at the age of 12. Satake was by his side when he died. The governor recalled telling Mir that he would soon be reunited with the cats that had passed before him.
Satake has received an outpouring of condolences and flowers from across Japan following Mir’s death. When asked about Yume, Satake mentioned seeing a video of her playing in the snow with Putin, but he has not received any updates on her well-being since that time. He expressed concern for the dog’s health, stating, “I’m most worried about whether Yume is all right.”
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