What kind of animals are popular in Japan?

As for domesticated animals, dogs and cats are undoubtediy the most popular.
According to a 2003 survey by the Pet Food Manufacturers Association there are 11.13 million dogs and 8.05 million cats in Japanese homes.
In legends and fairy tales, foxes and tanuki (a type of raccoon) have long been familiar to the Japanese.
In olden times, these animals were believed to trick people by disguising themselves.
Today the numbers of both these wild animals are dwindling.