The Japanese bobtail cat has lived in Japan fro many centuries but little is known of it in the United States until 1968. Around the late 1960s 3 Japanese bobtail cats were imported from Japan. At first there were only short-haired types but in the mid 1990s longer-haired types began to emerge.

The Japanese bobtail grows to medium-size in stature with a long, lean body and there is little shedding. Its bobbed-tail can either be flexible or rigid. This cat comes in many color varieties but the most popular color is white with red and black splotches (type is called 'Mike', pronounced mee-kay).

The Japanese bobtail cat personality can be described as active, intelligent and talkative. Its voice is soft but it will often talk back when spoken to.  Adaptable and great with children, this cat loves human company.