I COULD be wrong, but I think with the box style and the stylized kanji that the cats are supposed to be a type of 'omiyage', a gift brought back from a trip. Many towns and regions in Japan specialize in their own snack or wagashi (Japanese sweets), and these are often brought back as gifts. Whether the cats are supposed to be a 'snack' or just a gift is left to you to decide.

A box full of mini-cats. It's a gift I wouldn't mind.

Huh, no Monita? That's odd.

Popebug said:

Huh, no Monita? That's odd.

Dead center, chewing on the gray tabby's ear? Not sure enough to tag it myself, but the markings are similar and the eye color matches.

Missing the distinctive black spot (on the right of his muzzle, just under his nose); it's not him.

Mithiwithi said:

Dead center, chewing on the gray tabby's ear? Not sure enough to tag it myself, but the markings are similar and the eye color matches.

That's not Monita, he has a very distinguishable black spot under his nose.