Wasao, the dog named stationmaster who is driving Japan crazy

A nice surprise awaits the passengers who will arrive at the Ajigasawa railway station, in Japan, in the prefecture of Aomori in the next few days. In fact, there will be Wasao, a master dog, waiting for them

He is about to end up run over, his mother saves him

A nice surprise awaits the passengers who will arrive at the Ajigasawa railway station, in Japan, in the prefecture of Aomori in the next few days. In fact, there will be Wasao, a master dog, waiting for them.

Wasao is 11 years old, a partner and a daughter. A few years ago he was abandoned but a 71-year-old trader from Ajigasawa adopted him. For the inhabitants of the city he is now a mascot, with his nice big face and his cross-eyed eyes.

The furry white dog has won hearts across Japan with his quirky looks, often described as “busa-kawaii” busaiku (ugly) with kawaii (cute) in Japanese, and starred in a movie of the same name. Wasao rose to fame after a shopper of the woman who adopted him posted photos of him on social media and even on TV.

The dog is not on his first assignment. He has been station master since 2011 and that year he was appointed special ambassador for tourism-related activities.

But now comes a new role of responsibility. The letter confirming his assignment was officially delivered on 1 April last during an appointment ceremony in the station square.

Wasao's partner Tsubaki, 5, will join him in the role of deputy chief of the resort, and their daughter, Chome, 22, has been appointed for the first time as a chief apprentice.

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"We want to give new energy to visiting Ajigasawa station with Wasao's family again this year", he said Takeshi Kudo, of the Wasao Project at the nomination ceremony.

Wasao is one of the many other animals that welcome tourists to the stations. The most popular was undoubtedly Tama, the cat who turned a railway line into a popular tourist spot.

The tourist association of the city says that around 120.000 people visit it every year thanks to Wasao, which welcomes passengers at the station and welcomes them in its own way.

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From foundling to honest worker, thanks to the adoption by his human friend, who gave the dog a home and a new life.

READ also:

• 10 great reasons to adopt a dog in 2018
• 20 signs that you are 'crazy' about your dog (in a good way!)

Francesca Mancuso