The decreasing human population is the problem. Rather than let the cats suffer and starve after the last human leaves, they sterilized them so there would at least be less needless suffering.

Who is surprised? The sterilization program is doing exactly what it was supposed to, and that's a good thing. I think you're misinterpreting the article.

The headline reads: "... Won’t Survive Much Longer".

Later, the article goes: "Sadly, though, this feline paradise won’t be around as a tourist destination for much longer."

So no, I'm misinterpreting nothing. The article implies the cats going extinct is a bad thing.

No doubt something perhaps got lost in translation and then further got sensationalized for clicks, but as presented I am left wondering who left their common sense by their front door before going out to work.

The author being sad about it doesn't necessarily mean anyone else is.

The sole caretaker on the island is getting old and won't be able to look after the cats forever, so the Aoshima Cat Protection Society decided to spay/neuter the cats and let nature take its course. This is going exactly as planned.

The author thinks it's sad that a popular tourist attraction will vanish soon. I can sympathize with that while still knowing it's for the best.

The sad part is that the Cat Mama has to wind things down. This does not imply any kind of failure on the part of the Society.

edit my comments seem insensitive given the reply. I'm sorry for your loss, I'll just delete this.

As someone who put his mother to rest last December, someone dying is a "good thing"?

I think I can gather what you're trying to say, but what the sincere fuck my dude.

EDIT Note to other readers: Clearly there was no ill intent, the comment was retracted and amends have been made. I'll leave my reply in place for some context, but let us speak no further upon this.