.neko

Interlink Systems Innovation Institute K.K. (the “Applicant”) is applying for .neko to establish a globally recognizable namespace for cat culture and cat-related activity on the Internet. The applied-for gTLD string “.neko” (/ne.ko/) comes from the Japanese word for “cat,” highlighting Japan’s cultural and linguistic heritage while connecting to the universal popularity of cats. The mission of .neko is to offer a distinctive digital identity for individuals, organizations, businesses, and creators who wish to associate with cat culture and related interests. The Applicant will support this mission by operating the TLD as a stable, secure, open, and sustainable namespace. The word "neko" has become part of worldwide consumer vocabulary through anime, manga, social media, cat cafés, and related products. The .neko TLD is intended as an open and distinctive, identity-focused namespace built around a shared affinity that transcends language and geography, complementing rather than duplicating existing pet- and animal-themed gTLDs. The mission of .neko has two main components: (1) to provide registrants and users with a meaningful digital identity centered on cat culture and related interests, and (2) to operate .neko as a stable, secure, open, and sustainable namespace for long-term global use. .neko will provide individuals and organizations with a short, memorable, and meaningful identifier for communities, information sharing, business, animal welfare, and creative activity on the web. Registration is open to all, including cat owners, shelters, rescue organizations, veterinarians, breeders, cat cafés, content creators, artists, publishers, event organizers, and pet-industry brands. Intended users are Internet users worldwide seeking cat-related content, products, services, information, adoption resources, welfare initiatives, and online engagement. The Applicant will implement an orderly launch that includes an ICANN-required Sunrise for eligible trademark holders, an Early Access or Landrush phase as appropriate, and a General Availability launch with the applicable Claims Notification period. The Applicant will coordinate registrar onboarding, provide launch and policy materials, promote .neko through ICANN-accredited registrar and hosting/domain reseller partnerships, and conduct direct outreach to cat-related businesses and audiences. The Applicant will manage .neko using established registry practices and operational experience gained from operating .moe and .earth under the standard ICANN Registry Agreement for over a decade. This background includes experience in DNS stability, security, rights protection, policy compliance, registrar support, and DNS abuse mitigation. Sustainability is based on four factors: (1) cats are a lasting and global subject of interest, relevant across households, culture, social media, commerce, animal welfare, and creative activity; (2) “.neko” is short, distinctive, and culturally meaningful, providing a clear identity without restricting registration; (3) the open registration model supports a wide range of uses, including personal, commercial, nonprofit, and welfare-related purposes; and (4) the Applicant’s established registry operations provide a strong foundation for long-term TLD management. This foundation will enable .neko to develop as a reliable, stable, and sustainable namespace that combines Japanese cultural roots with global relevance.