Belief Matters: Why the cat figurine is believed to bring good luck in Japanese culture

13/11/2025 15 min
Belief Matters: Why the cat figurine is believed to bring good luck in Japanese culture

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Episode Synopsis

Jane Dutton (standing in for Relebogile Mabotja ) speaks to Ryan Keet the Cultural Assistant at the Information and Cultural Centre of the Embassy of Japan in South Africa about the Maneki-neko, or  “beckoning cat,”  which is one of Japan’s most recognizable good-luck charms. 702 Afternoons with Relebogile Mabotja is broadcast live on Johannesburg based talk radio station 702 every weekday afternoon. Relebogile brings a lighter touch to some of the issues of the day as well as a mix of lifestyle topics and a peak into the worlds of entertainment and leisure.  Thank you for listening to a 702 Afternoons with Relebogile Mabotja podcast.  Listen live on Primedia+ weekdays from 13:00 to 15:00 (SA Time) to Afternoons with Relebogile Mabotja broadcast on 702 https://buff.ly/gk3y0Kj  For more from the show go to https://buff.ly/2qKsEfu or find all the catch-up podcasts here https://buff.ly/DTykncj  Subscribe to the 702 Daily and Weekly Newsletters https://buff.ly/v5mfetc  Follow us on social media:  702 on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/TalkRadio702 702 on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@talkradio702 702 on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talkradio702/ 702 on X: https://x.com/Radio702 702 on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@radio702 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.