In pictures: cats act as stress beaters at offices in Japan, home of the workaholic

An IT firm in Tokyo lets staff bring their cats to work, and pays a monthly bonus for rescuing one; other firms take animal healing a step further and put dogs, goats and alpacas on the payroll

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Published: 10:42am, 23 May 2017Updated: 10:42am, 23 May 2017

Workaholic Japan is known for long office hours and stressed out employees, but one company claims to have a cure: cats.

Nine fluffy felines eat, sleep and walk freely in the small office of IT firm Ferray in Tokyo.

A cat lounges on the desk at an IT office in Tokyo, giving spreadsheet a new meaning. Workaholic Japan is known for long office hours and stressed out employees, but one company claims to have a cure: Cats. / AFP PHOTO / AFPBB News / YOKO AKIYOSHI / - Japan OUT / -----EDITORS NOTE --- RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY CREDIT Photo: AFP/AFPBB News/Yoko Akiyoshi PHOTO / AFPBB NEWS / YOKO AKIYOSHI

Hidenobu Fukuda, who heads the firm, introduced an “office cat” policy in 2000 at the request of one of his employees, allowing staff to bring their cats to work.

“I also give 5,000 yen (US$45, HK$350) a month to those who rescue a cat,” he says of his charges.

Other Japanese companies are also allowing animals in the office to help reduce stress and anxiety.

Japanese companies allow animals in the office because of their soothing effect on employees. ats at an IT office in Tokyo. Workaholic Japan is known for long office hours and stressed out employees, but one company claims to have a cure: Cats. / Photo: AFP/AFPBB News/Yoko Akiyoshi PHOTO / AFPBB News / YOKO AKIYOSHI / - Japan OUT / -----EDITORS NOTE --- RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY CREDIT

At Oracle Japan, an old English sheepdog named Candy works as a “greeting and healing ambassador”, according to the company website.