Konnichiwa! We’d like to talk to you about bringing pets to Japan. Whether you’re moving there permanently or just relocating for a certain period, you’re required to obey all the pet import requirements published by the Ministry of Agriculture of Japan.
Japan, the land of the rising sun, is a pet-friendly country that welcomes dogs and cats from all over the world.
Bringing your pet to Japan is a complex process since Japan is a rabies-free country.
If you are planning on moving with your pet to Japan, the guide below will help you facilitate the process.
All dogs and cats imported into Japan must be identified by an ISO 11784/11785 microchip.
The microchip must be implanted in the beginning of the process and should be read upon each inspection.
Japan requires dogs and cats to have at least 2 rabies given after the microchip is implanted.
The first rabies vaccine should be done when the dog/cat is at least 91 days old.
The second rabies vaccine should be done at least 30 days after the first vaccine was given.
Please note that the second vaccine should be done before the first vaccine expires.
It is recommended to treat your dog against Distemper, Hepatitis and Parvovirus.
If you have a cat, it is recommended your treat it against Feline Panleukopenia/Distemper, Rhinotracheitis and Calicivirus.
We also recommend you treat your dog/cat against external (fleas and ticks) and internal (nematodes and cestodes) parasites.
If you are coming from a “designated region” (Iceland, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji Islands, Hawaii or Guam), your pet won’t need to be vaccinated against rabies.
Please note that dogs/cats imported from designated regions must have lived continuously in the designated region since birth, lived continuously in the designated region for at least 180 days before immediately entering Japan or lived continuously in the designated region since being directly imported from Japan. If none of these conditions are met, your dog/cat will need to be vaccinated against rabies.
A blood sample should be taken after the second rabies vaccine was administered.
The second rabies vaccine and the rabies antibody blood test can be performed on the same day.
The blood sample should be sent to a designated lab.
If you are relocating from Israel, it is important to note the lab in Israel isn’t approved by the Japanese authorities.
The tier result must be equal to or greater than 0.5 IU/ml and the result is valid for 2 years from the date the blood was drawn.
In order to keep the results valid for two years, the rabies vaccines must be renewed before they expire.
The blood result will be “valid” only after at least 180 days have passed from the date of the blood sampling. In other words, there is a waiting period of at least 180 days, starting from the date of the blood sampling.
If you wish to bring your dog/cat less then 180 days after the sample was collected, your pet will be subject to quarantine upon arrival and it will only be released once the 180 days are completed.
Dogs and cats imported from a designated region don’t need to pass a rabies antibody blood test and they don’t need to wait 180 days to enter Japan.
Please see the designated region conditions stated in the vaccination section above. If the conditions are not met, your dog/cat will need to pass a blood test and it will only be able to enter Japan after 180 days.
A veterinarian health certificate should be done within 10 days of the flight.
The health certificate needs to be endorsed by a government vet of the exporting country.
In order to prevent errors, it is recommended to forward copies of the certificates to the Animal Quarantine Service.
They will be happy to advise if everything is in order or if something needs to be fixed.
The importer/owner must notify the Animal Quarantine Service at the port of entry at least 40 days before the pet’s arrival in Japan.
An “Approval of Import” should be issued by the Animal Quarantine Service if everything is in order.
The “Approval of Import” is necessary for the import inspection.
Dogs and cats may enter Japan in cabin, as excess luggage or as manifest cargo.
Dogs can only enter Japan through the following ports: New Chitose Airport, Narita International Airport, Tokyo International Airport (Haneda Airport), Chubu International Airport, Kansai International Airport, Kitakyushu Airport, Fukuoka Airport, Kagoshima Airport, Naha Airport, Tomakomai Seaport, Keihin Seaport (Tokyo, Yokohama), Nagoya Seaport, Hanshin Seaport (Osaka, Hyogo), Kanmon Seaport, Hakata Seaport, Kagoshima Seaport and Naha Seaport.
Cats are not restricted to certain ports. If you wish to enter with a cat through a port that isn’t listed above, you should contact the Animal Quarantine Service in advance.
Please note that dogs/cats that are subject to quarantine for more than 12 hours must entry through a port with a quarantine facility.
Dogs and cats imported into Japan must meet all the import requirements.
If all the requirements are met, your dog/cat will be free to go home within 12 hours after landing.
If, on the other hand, your dog/cat won’t meet the requirements, it will need to be quarantined (up to 180 days) until all the demands are met.
Here are some frequently asked questions about importing a pet into Japan:
Question #1: How much does it cost to bring a dog to Japan?
The cost for bringing a pet to Japan depends on how you intend to fly your pet. If your pet will fly in-cabin or as excess luggage, the cost of flying your pet will be relatively cheap (about $100-$500 USD).
However, if you will send your pet as cargo, you should prepare to pay a lot!
Question #2: What dog breeds are banned in Japan?
Japan doesn’t ban any dog or cat breeds.
Question #3: Are pets allowed in Japan?
Bringing pets to Japan is allowed, if you obey all the import requirements.
Question #4: My dog passed the rabies titer test in a lab that isn’t approved. Will the Japanese authorities accept the results?
Even though your dog passed the rabies titer test, it won’t be accepted by the Japanese authorities if it wasn’t done in an approved lab.
Question #5: Is Japan rabies free?
Japan has been free from rabies for over 50 years.
Bringing pets to Japan is all about preparing well in advance.
It is important to understand Japan’s import requirements to avoid any delays and complications.
Japan is a rabies free country and because of that, the pet import procedures are very strict!
Pets2Fly is here to help. Our team has helped many families relocate to Japan with their beloved pets.
Feel free to contact us!
We would love to hear from you!
