Could Your Cat Be Mercari’s Next Star Ambassador

If you have a camera roll full of cat photos, this might be your moment. Mercari’s new Nyanbassador Project is giving pet parents across Japan a rare chance to see their beloved cats featured in a national web commercial campaign.

Pet parents across Japan are getting an exciting new opportunity. Mercari, one of the country’s most popular marketplace apps, has launched a nationwide cat audition that could turn your laid‑back house cat into a web commercial star.

This initiative, called the Nyanbassador Project, is designed for the social media era. It celebrates not only a cat’s looks but also the quirky, independent personalities that pet guardians know and love.

What Is Mercari

Mercari Inc. is a Japan‑born tech company founded in 2013 and best known for its easy‑to‑use flea market app that lets anyone buy and sell items from their smartphone. With more than 20 million monthly users, it has become a staple app in many Japanese households.

The company operates under a clear mission to circulate all kinds of value and expand possibilities for everyone, with a strong focus on building a more sustainable society. As part of that vision, Mercari is now turning the spotlight on cats and the people who care for them.

To share the charm and individuality of everyday cats, Mercari has launched a new commercial project featuring feline ambassadors.

You can learn more about the initiative on the official Nyanbassador Project campaign page.

What Is The Nyanbassador Project

The Nyanbassador Project is a social media audition to select cat ambassadors who will appear in Mercari’s web commercials.

Unlike traditional pet modeling contests that may focus heavily on appearance, this project places real value on personality, individuality, and that slightly mischievous, free‑spirited nature many cats are known for. A cat that naps in funny positions, chirps at birds, or insists on sitting on your keyboard could be just as appealing as a perfectly posed model.

Age, sex, and professional experience do not matter. Any cat can be entered, whether they are a seasoned pet model or a beloved family companion who has never been in front of a professional camera before. For many pet guardians, this may be the perfect chance for their cat’s natural star quality to shine.

Key Dates And Audition Schedule

The audition follows a clear schedule so pet parents can plan ahead:

• Entry period
  June 2, 2025 Monday to June 15, 2025 Sunday
• Early July
  Finalists announced, followed by video judging and public voting
• Around August
  Nyanbassadors selected and commercial filming begins

Cats chosen as Nyanbassadors will appear in Mercari’s web commercials and are expected to serve as ambassadors for approximately one year. This gives ongoing visibility to both the cats and the project, rather than a single, one‑time appearance.

Who Can Apply

The project is designed to be as inclusive as possible. The main eligibility points are:

• The applicant must be a cat
• No restrictions on age, sex, professional status, or agency affiliation
• Filming will take place either at a studio in Tokyo or at the cat’s home, with attention to minimizing stress
• The pet guardian must not be involved with antisocial or criminal organizations
• The pet guardian must live in Japan and have a public social media account

In practice, this means most pet guardians in Japan with a cat and a public social media profile can participate. If your cat is comfortable being photographed or filmed at home, you likely have a real chance to enter.

How To Enter The Audition

The entry process is intentionally simple and social‑media friendly. Pet guardians can follow these steps:

1. Take photos or videos of your cat
   Choose content that shows your cat’s natural charm, whether that is playful, dignified, or delightfully goofy.
2. Follow the official Nyanpro accounts
   Follow the Nyanbassador Project account on X formerly Twitter and or Instagram.
3. Post with the official hashtag
   Upload your cat’s photo or video and include the hashtag #にゃんプロ in your caption.
4. Check your direct messages
   Applicants who pass the first round of screening will be contacted via direct message on social media.

To keep the judging fair and to ensure your cat’s features are clearly visible, certain types of posts are not accepted:

• Black and white or monochrome images
• Blurry or out‑of‑focus photos
• Photos or videos of cats that are not your own
• Images where the cat is cut off or only partially visible

Pet guardians are encouraged to use natural light, steady framing, and a relaxed environment so their cat appears comfortable and expressive.

What Happens If Your Cat Is Selected

Cats chosen as official Nyanbassadors up to a maximum of three will receive a generous package of benefits. According to the project outline, selected cats can expect:

• A starring role in Mercari’s web commercials, which may be used across social media advertising
• A one‑year supply of premium tuna cans, calculated at one can per week, with each can valued at around 500 yen
• Prize money of 200,000 yen, which, combined with finalist prizes, totals up to 300,000 yen
• One year of activity as an official Nyanbassador, representing the project in various ways
• Filming and transportation costs covered by Mercari

In addition, cats selected as finalists approximately 8 to 10 cats will also receive 100,000 yen in prize money. This means that even reaching the finalist stage offers a meaningful reward for participating pet guardians.

A Welfare‑Conscious Project Design

For many pet parents, animal welfare is a top priority when considering any kind of audition or commercial work. The Nyanbassador Project has taken steps to address these concerns.

The project is supervised by anicas, a registered pet model agency that holds official animal handling business registration in Japan. This oversight helps ensure that the cats’ well‑being is prioritized and that filming practices align with animal welfare standards.

In addition, some commercial shoots may be conducted in the cat’s own home, depending on the situation. Filming in a familiar environment can significantly reduce stress for many cats, who often feel safest in their established territory.

By combining professional oversight with flexible filming options, the project aims to create a setting where cats can participate comfortably and safely.

Giving Your Cat A Moment In The Spotlight

The Nyanbassador Project offers a rare chance to showcase your cat’s individuality on a national stage. It is not just about perfect poses or textbook beauty. A cat’s playfulness, unpredictability, and innocent curiosity can all become part of their appeal.

For many pet guardians, their cat spends most days napping in sunbeams, chasing toys, or quietly supervising the household from a favorite perch. This project invites those everyday moments into the spotlight and gives them a new context as part of a major brand’s storytelling.

If you live in Japan, have a public social media account, and share your life with a cat who lights up your home, consider capturing their true personality on camera and entering the audition. With thoughtful planning and a welfare‑focused framework, this could be a memorable experience for both you and your feline companion.

Your cat may be just a few posts away from becoming the next face of Mercari’s Nyanbassador Project.