In Japan this beckoning cat brings goodluck. It says hey come over here, I got some goodluck for you! Come and get it!
This is based of a public domain image found on Wikimedia originally uploaded by user Searobin.
Japanese illustration of a dragon teapot from page 419 of an 1882 book entitled "Japan" by Christopher Dresser (LCCN: 09023669); http://openlibrary.org/b/OL13440038M
So this family is so classically Japanese. Mum pays attention to Son, and Dad is off in his own world ignoring them. But I guess he has something important on the mind. Like he is trying to think of a new sandal to buy or something.