<text>  An army of feral cats rules a remote island in southern Japan, curling up in abandoned houses or strutting about in a fishing village that is overrun with felines outnumbering humans six to one. Originally introduced to the mile-long island of Aoshima to deal with mice that plagued fishermens boats, the cats stayed on - and multiplied. More than 120 cats swarm the island with only a handful of humans for company - mostly pensioners who didnt join the waves of migrants seeking work in the cities on mainland Japan after the Second World War. Scroll down for video . Watching: Originally introduced to the island of Aoshima to deal with mice that plagued fishermens boats, the cats stayed on - and multiplied . A daring leap: More than 120 mostly ginger cats now patrol the remote Japanese island with only a handful of humans for company . Company: The majority of the humans on Aoshima island are pensioners who didnt seek work on mainland Japan after the Second World War . Never lonely: The majority of Aoshima islands human residents left to work on mainland Japan in the late 1940s and early 1950s . Resting: The only sign of human activity now is the boatload of day-trippers from the mainland, visiting what is locally known as Cat Island . Aoshima, a 30-minute ferry ride off the coast of Ehime prefecture, had been home to 900 people in 1945. The only sign of human activity now is the boatload of day-trippers from the mainland, visiting what is locally known as Cat Island. With no restaurants, cars, shops or kiosks selling snacks, Aoshima is no tourist haven. But cat lovers are not complaining. There is a ton of cats here, then there was this sort of cat witch who came out to feed the cats which was quite fun, said 27-year-old Makiko Yamasaki. So Id want to come again. Fangs: With no restaurants, cars, shops or kiosks selling snacks, Aoshima is no tourist haven. But cat lovers are not complaining . Furry friend: Aoshima, a 30-minute ferry ride off the coast of Ehime prefecture, had been home to 900 people in 1945 . Everywhere you look: Cats surround people as they get off a boat at the harbour on Aoshima Island in Ehime prefecture in southern Japan . A purr-fect feast: A cat carries a fish on Aoshima Island. The allure of cats is not surprising in a country that gave the world Hello Kitty . On the prowl: The cats of Aoshima are not too picky, surviving on the rice balls, energy bars or potatoes they cadge off tourists . Picturesque: An overview shows the main part of the fishing village on Aoshima Island in Ehime prefecture in southern Japan . The allure of cats is not surprising in a country that gave the world Hello Kitty, a cartoon character considered the epitome of cuteness. Cat cafes have long been popular in Tokyo, catering to fans who cant keep the animals at home because of strict housing regulations that often forbid pets. The cats of Aoshima are not too picky, surviving on the rice balls, energy bars or potatoes they cadge off tourists. In the absence of natural predators, they roam the island without fear. Not all the residents are admirers, though. Ready to eat: A cat leaps up at the photographer to snatch his lunch on Aoshima Island in the Ehime prefecture in southern Japan . A cat sits on a wall of a derelict school on Aoshima Island. Many of the buildings on the island were abandoned after the Second World War . Creepy: A cat is photographed jumping off a piano in the music room of a derelict school on Aoshima Island . Local residents havent taken too kindly to the cat tourists. They say they dont mind them coming, but want to be left in peace . Abandoned playground: A tree grows around a rusty sledge outside a derelict school on Aoshima Island . One elderly woman shooed the animals away with a stick when they dug up her back garden. Locals are trying to keep the feline population in check - at least 10 cats have been neutered. Residents havent taken too kindly to the tourists either. They dont mind them coming, but want to be left in peace. If people coming to the island find the cats healing, then I think its a good thing, said 65-year-old Hidenori Kamimoto, who ekes out a living as a fisherman. I just hope that its done in a way that doesnt become a burden on the people who live here. 