NAGASAKI — Instances of kittens entering vehicle engine bays have occurred frequently, leading the Japan Automobile Federation (JAF) to advise motorists to conduct a brief "feline inspection" prior to igniting their cars.
Numerous kittens were born during the spring mating period and are thought to be entering car hoods looking for protection against Japan’s wet season, an event that occurs annually at this time. The Japanese Automobile Federation urges motorists to knock on the hood prior to turning on the engine.
"A cat is meowing from my car, yet I can't spot it," said a woman in her 40s from Nagasaki City to the JAF emergency hotline one morning in early June. She had just arrived at work when she heard the noise.
Koji Hamasaki, a 56-year-old employee at JAF's Nagasaki branch, hurried to the location. As he knocked on the woman’s vehicle, a soft meowing sound was audible from within. After lifting the hood, he noticed a tail protruding through a narrow opening approximately 5 centimeters wide near one of the headlights. The area was extremely tight, making it seem as though the kitten couldn’t move easily. When he tapped close to the front tire, the kitten turned its head, enabling him to glimpse its face.
The young cat appeared to calm down slightly as Hamasaki imitated a cat's mew, and then the creature moved out by itself. The "saved" kitten was approximately 20 centimeters long.
The young cat must have sneaked into the woman's vehicle when it was stationary at her residence and traveled with her all the way to her office. Hamasaki advised her, "Take it back home and release it so it can find its way back to its mother."
As per the employee, numerous vehicles have an undercarriage clearance of approximately 10 centimeters, though this measurement differs depending on the vehicle type. A grown-up cat is typically too large to pass through, yet a young kitten might occasionally manage. Within the engine area, there are belts responsible for operating the alternator and various other elements. It has been reported that some instances occurred where the engine was activated while a kitten remained inside, leading to the pet becoming trapped in the moving mechanisms and subsequently losing its life.
This is why JAF is urging motorists to conduct what’s known as a “cat inspection.” Prior to turning on the engine, drivers should lightly knock on the bonnet and pay close attention for any mewing sounds. JAF recommends taking extra precautions if cats frequently appear around the parking area or if driving a vehicle that has remained idle for an extended period.
A spokesperson from JAF stated, "We encourage individuals to periodically lift the hood and inspect the interior." As a precautionary step, should a driver notice cat fur on car components, applying a cat deterrent spray may effectively deter the animals.
As per JAF, 402 instances of cats being saved from within vehicle engine compartments were reported throughout Japan in June 2025. Specifically in Nagasaki Prefecture, 15 such incidents occurred over the same period, translating to roughly one rescue every two days.
(Naoki Soeya's Japanese version, Nagasaki Office)