A Cat Called Peace: Putin's Gift to Akita Governor Dies at 12

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A Siberian male cat named Mir, who was gifted to Akita Governor Norihisa Satake by Russian President Vladimir Putin in 2013, passed away on December 3. He was 12 years old and died due to illness.

Mir had been a reciprocal gift to Satake, who had given Putin a female Akita dog named Yume. However, Yume’s whereabouts have been unknown for the past eight years. Amid the suspension of Japan-Russia exchanges following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, there are growing concerns about Yume’s well-being.

*Akita Governor Norihisa Satake holds Mir, the Siberian cat gifted by Russian President Vladimir Putin. February 5, 2013, at the Akita Prefecture Office.*

A Cat Called Peace

Putin is known to be a dog lover. In 2012, Yume was gifted to him with the support of the Akita Inu Preservation Society, as a gesture of gratitude for Russia's help after the Great East Japan Earthquake. In 2023, Putin reciprocated by giving the Governor a cat named Mir.

Satake, a well-known cat enthusiast, cares for rescued strays at the governor's official residence. Mir was raised with exceptional care as part of his family. Satake personally chose the name Mir, which means "peace" in Russian.

Describing Mir as "sensitive," Satake did not allow photography or media coverage after the handover ceremony. However, Akita Prefecture released videos of Mir every year on Japanese National Cat Day (February 22).

The symbolism of Mir's name was overshadowed in 2022 when Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine. Satake emphasized, "The cat is not to blame," and continued to share the annual videos. On December 3, Russian media outlets, including TASS, reported Mir's death by citing Japanese news sources.

A Dog Called Dream

In April 2013, photos of Yume, which means "dream" in Japanese, were featured on the Russian Presidential Executive Office's website. The images showed President Putin, dressed in sportswear, playing in the snow with Yume and another dog that had been gifted from Bulgaria.

*Russian President Vladimir Putin plays with Yume, the Akita dog gifted by Akita Governor Norihisa Satake (foreground). March 24, 2013. (From the Presidential Executive Office website)*

During a Japan-Russia summit in February 2014 at the presidential residence in Sochi, southern Russia, Yume greeted the late Prime Minister Shinzo Abe alongside President Putin.

Recounting the encounter in parliament, Abe remarked, "It was an impressive-looking dog, so I cautiously extended my hand, and it licked me. President Putin said, 'This dog sometimes bites,' which gave me a bit of a start."

*Russian President Vladimir Putin pets Yume, alongside the late Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (right). February 2014, in Sochi, Russia. (From the Presidential Executive Office website)*

Is Yume Still Alive?

In December 2016, Putin appeared with Yume during an interview with The Yomiuri Shimbun and Nippon TV. However, Yume's status has remained unknown since then.

In June 2024, reports surfaced that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un had gifted Putin a pair of Pungsan dogs, considered a national treasure in North Korea. This suggests that Putin's fondness for dogs remains unchanged.

Yume is the same age as Mir and would be 12 years old if still alive. Shoji Hatakeyama, 81, Yume's breeder from Odate City, Akita Prefecture, and a member of the Akita Inu Preservation Society, shared his concerns.

"The average lifespan of an Akita dog is 12 to 13 years. Yume's mother lived to 13. Since Yume is approaching the end of her lifespan, I hope to hear whether she is still well," he said.

Author: Hiroshi Watanabe, The Sankei Shimbun

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