Dogecoin Founder Spotlights Shiba Inu Dogs in Japan

A Lighthearted Observation from Dogecoin's Creator

If you ever visit Japan, you might notice just how popular native dog breeds are among local pet owners. Dogecoin cofounder Billy Markus, who is known on X as Shibetoshi Nakamoto, recently commented on this exact trend during his travels.

On November 8, 2026, Markus shared a post on X highlighting the overwhelming presence of the famous dog breed in its home country.

Like, 50% of the dogs I see in Japan are Shiba InuSHIB+0.09%. I love Japan.

His post quickly caught the eye of crypto enthusiasts around the world. The Shiba Inu is not only a cultural icon in Japan, but it is also the face behind the entire dog-themed cryptocurrency movement.

The Real Dog Behind the DogeDOGE-0.28% Meme

To understand why Markus's post got so much attention, it helps to know the backstory of the dog that started it all.

Back in 2008, a Japanese kindergarten teacher named Atsuko Satō from Sakura, east of Tokyo, adopted a female Shiba Inu from an animal shelter. The dog came from a puppy mill that had closed down, saving her from being put down. Satō named her new pet Kabosu.

In 2010, Satō took a picture of Kabosu sitting on a couch with her paws crossed and a quizzical look on her face. She posted the photo on her personal blog, and it soon spread to online forums like Reddit.

Internet users transformed the picture into the famous Doge meme. The meme featured Kabosu surrounded by colourful Comic Sans text representing her inner monologue in playful, broken English.

How a Meme Became an $11 Billion Asset

The meme inspired software engineers Billy Markus and Jackson Palmer to launch Dogecoin (DOGE) on December 6, 2013. Originally created as a joke, Dogecoin quickly gathered a passionate global community.

Dogecoin eventually grew into the 12th largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization, holding a valuation of $11.17 billion according to CoinMarketCap data. Its success also paved the way for other tokens, including Shiba Inu (SHIB).

Past performance of digital assets is no guarantee of future results. Crypto assets can experience sharp price swings, and market conditions can change quickly.

Remembering Kabosu's Legacy

Kabosu passed away in May 2024 after 14 years of internet fame. While she is no longer here, her memory lives on through digital culture.

When Markus noticed that half the dogs in Japan are Shiba Inus, it served as a warm reminder of where the famous dog meme first began.