That's it!  Once you see the Japanese and then google for trainers, you come right to the T2.   This was Japan's first jet to break the sound barrier. 

The clue "reminiscent of a cat" refers to fact that the T2 incorporated many design features of the SELECAT Jaguar.  Initially, Japan tried to arrange a licensing agreement with SELECAT but that fell through.  The reason I picked this aircraft for the quiz is that last weekend, I saw one at a small local "air park."  I suppose it's not "famous" enough for anyone ever to make a precision scale jet model of it. 

One of the reasons the T2 was developed was that the previous jet trainer didn't provide an adequate transition to aircraft such as the F-104 and F4.

 I will post something in a bit.

My country of residence should have been a clue.

  1 - High wing monoplane. 

  2 - Design development began in 1925.

  3 - 4 engines