went viral not because of what the cats do (spoiler: they usually just sit, stretch, or look away), but because of how he films them doing it.
Prior to these reforms, crimes against animals often resulted in minor fines or suspended sentences rather than real prison time. Organizations like Animal Refuge Kansai (ARK) and international welfare groups campaigned heavily to elevate animal abuse from a minor property-adjacent violation to a serious criminal offense.
: Oya initially claimed his actions were a form of "pest control," citing the smell of cat waste and the danger of their claws [
: The camera rarely moves wildly; it remains fixed, allowing the felines to enter and leave the frame naturally. 2. Immersive Sound Design (ASMR) Makoto Oya Cat Videos
If you were looking for heartwarming or funny Japanese cat videos, these are the creators you likely want:
You will never see Makoto Oya’s hand petting the cat. You will never hear him make kissy noises to get the cat’s attention. He is a pure observer. The cats ignore him, which is why they act so naturally. Watching his footage feels like you have stumbled upon a secret ritual in a back alley that humans were never meant to see.
So, the next time it rains outside your window, pull up a Makoto Oya compilation. Turn up the volume to hear the wind. Watch the whiskers bend. And remember—you aren’t just watching a cat video. You are watching a masterpiece. went viral not because of what the cats
Upon his arrest, Oya deflected responsibility by claiming he viewed the stray cats merely as a public nuisance. He notoriously told investigators that because cat urine and feces emit a foul odor and because their claws can cause injury, he believed he was performing a civic duty. He claimed he did not realize "exterminating" them violated national law. 2. The Trial and Global Backlash
The footage showed the torture sessions in detail, which Oya filmed himself and shared online, leading to his identification. Motivation and Initial Denial
He was subsequently prosecuted for violating the Animal Protection Law. Public Response : Oya initially claimed his actions were a
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Oya almost always films in "bad" weather. While most creators wait for a sunny day, Oya brings out his camera during snowstorms, typhoon winds, and heavy rain. He captures cats huddling under parked cars with snow collecting on their whiskers, or sitting stoically on a pier as ocean spray mists the background. This creates a mood of mono no aware (the bittersweet transience of things). The cats look tough, melancholic, and profoundly beautiful.
The case of Makoto Oya is a somber and significant chapter in the history of Japanese animal welfare law. While "cat videos" on the internet are typically a source of joy, the videos produced by Oya between 2016 and 2017 were evidence of severe cruelty that ultimately led to a shift in how Japan addresses animal abuse. The Case Background
Makoto Oya and the Feline Frenzy: Unpacking the Cultural Significance of Cat Videos