Imagine arriving at work each morning to be greeted not just by colleagues, but by a team of cats wandering between desks, joining meetings and curling up beside your keyboard. That has become everyday life at Qnote Inc., a Tokyo-based software company that has transformed its office into a shared workspace for humans and felines alike. What began with the adoption of a single stray cat in 2004 has evolved into an unusual workplace culture where 11 full-time office cats are considered part of the staff. Each has an official job title, employees are encouraged to interact with them throughout the day, and even new job applicants are expected to be cat lovers. The result, according to the company, is a calmer, happier and more connected workplace.
How one rescued cat grew into a team of 11 full-time office companions
Qnote’s feline story began in 2004, when one of the company’s founders rescued a stray kitten and brought it into the office. Rather than becoming a temporary visitor, the cat quickly settled into daily office life, helping to create a relaxed atmosphere that employees genuinely enjoyed.According to Mainichi Shimbun, the company’s first feline employee was Futaba, a cat that had been living at a nearby sushi restaurant before being adopted shortly after Qnote was founded. Over the next two decades, rescued cats continued joining the office, eventually creating a unique workplace where humans and felines share the same environment every day.Over the following years, more rescued cats joined the workplace, and today 11 cats live permanently inside the company’s headquarters in Tokyo. Instead of being treated simply as pets, they have become recognised members of the organisation, freely roaming between workstations, meeting rooms and communal spaces throughout the day.The company says the cats have become an important part of its identity, with visitors often surprised to find felines quietly sleeping beside computers or supervising employees from shelves above their desks.
Every office cat has its own job title and role in the company
In keeping with the company’s playful culture, every feline employee has been assigned an official job title. Some serve as office clerks, while others hold titles such as manager, director or auditor. Although the roles are symbolic, they reflect the company’s belief that the cats are genuine members of the workplace rather than decorative office pets.Their presence has become so central to company culture that “cat lover” is listed as one of the preferred qualities for new employees. The company believes people who enjoy animals are more likely to embrace its collaborative and relaxed working environment.New recruits quickly discover that sharing office space with cats is simply part of everyday life at Qnote.
How the office was redesigned to make life comfortable for both people and cats
As the feline workforce expanded, Qnote adapted its headquarters to accommodate its unusual employees.The office now features 12 cat toilets, elevated walkways, climbing shelves, dedicated resting areas and scratch-resistant walls designed to withstand daily feline activity. These changes allow the cats to move freely throughout the building without damaging equipment or disrupting employees.Rather than separating the animals from staff, the office has been designed to encourage natural interaction. Cats often wander through workspaces, nap beside computers or perch above desks while employees carry out their daily tasks.The result is a workplace that functions as both a modern software office and a safe indoor home for its resident cats.
Why employees say cats make the workplace happier and less stressful
According to Qnote, the presence of cats has had a noticeable impact on employee wellbeing. Workers say interacting with the animals encourages them to take short breaks during busy days, helping reduce mental fatigue and workplace stress. A quick moment spent petting a cat or watching one play can provide a natural pause before returning to work.The cats have also become conversation starters, bringing employees together across departments and encouraging informal interactions that might not otherwise happen. New staff members often find that the animals help break the ice, making it easier to build relationships with colleagues. While the company has not published formal scientific studies on its workplace, employees consistently describe the office as calmer, friendlier and more enjoyable because of its feline residents.Company president Nobuyuki Tsuruta told Mainichi Shimbun that although the cats occasionally interrupt employees by jumping onto desks or demanding attention, those interruptions are viewed as a benefit rather than a distraction. They naturally encourage staff to pause, step away from their screens and recharge before returning to work. Tsuruta also said the cats have become effective icebreakers, strengthening communication between colleagues and helping managers better understand employees through the way they interact with the animals.
Why more companies are paying attention to pets in the workplace
Qnote’s unconventional office reflects a broader interest in creating healthier working environments.Research has shown that interacting with animals can help lower stress, improve mood and encourage social interaction. Many organisations around the world now organise therapy animal visits or allow pets in the workplace on designated days to support employee wellbeing.Qnote has taken that concept much further by making cats a permanent part of everyday office life. Rather than viewing them as distractions, the company considers them contributors to a positive workplace culture built on relaxation, communication and mutual care.For Qnote, the cats have become more than mascots, they are colleagues who remind employees to slow down, smile and enjoy the working day.
A workplace where cats are part of the team
In an era when companies are searching for new ways to improve employee wellbeing, Qnote has found an unusually furry solution. More than two decades after welcoming its first rescued kitten, the company continues to share its office with 11 resident cats, each playing a unique role in its culture.From official job titles and purpose-built climbing spaces to reduced stress and stronger team bonding, the experiment has become one of Japan’s most charming examples of a pet-friendly workplace. It may not be a model every office can copy, but for Qnote, the gentle sound of purring has become just as much a part of the working day as keyboards and computer screens.