Here is an article I found about how attitudes about pets have changed in Japan over the last few years resulting in a lot more pet-related spending.

Though figures are scarce, a study published last year showed that longevity for cats in Japan almost doubled between 1991 and 2003, from 5.1 years to 9.9 years. Dog longevity surged from 8.6 years to 11.9 years.

Read the full article: Aging pampered pets in Japan get acupuncture