Stamps of Japan: Iriomote Wild Cat (2015)

the Japan Post Network Okinawa Branch released sets of Iriomote wild cat original stamps on the 17th of July.

The launch of the new stamps onto the market commemorates the 50th anniversary of the discovery of the animal, a special national treasure, which is found only on Iriomote Island, Taketomi Town. Part of the profit from sales will be donated to the Iriomote Wildlife Protection Fund.

Seventeen post offices, including those in Yaeyama, Naha, and Chinen, plan to sell 1,500 sets of stamps. The captivating photographs of the wild cat were provided by the Ministry of Environment’s Iriomote Wildlife Protection Center. A set of five 52-yen stamps and five 82-yen stamps costs 13,000 yen including tax.

At the presentation ceremony held in Taketomi Town Office, a ranger from the Wildlife Protection Center, Yuri Sagamihara remarked, “I will be happy if many people learn more about the rare wildcat through these stamps. I hope the coming year contributes to its protection”.