7/2/2005

The best advice is leave your pets at home. Japan is bad place to be a pet. Hell, it’s tough to be a human. If must and you are on “The Package” (all expenses paid move by a company) here are the rules.

Importing Pets into Japan (Update)
Via the American Embassy Tokyo, Community Update - July 2005
This is the latest update regarding Japanese Government regulations pertaining to importation of pets into Japan.
The Japanese Animal Quarantine Service (AQS) is the official source of information regarding the import and export of pets in Japan. Their very helpful English website may be found at the URL here
It is imperative that persons who wish to import their pet to Japan consult the AQS website and make the proper coordination directly with the AQS in order to avoid any misunderstandings. The personnel in AQS have proved to be very helpful and they encourage direct communication through email or fax. For Narita airport arrivals, AQS can be reached at:
Terminal 1: FAX 81-476-30-3011; EMAIL na-k1@maff-aqs.go.jp
Terminal 2: FAX 81-476-34-2338; EMAIL na-k2@maff-aqs.go.jp
Check with your airline for the terminal at which you will arrive. Other phone numbers and AQS offices around Japan are listed on their website. Note that due to strict quarantine laws of Japan, AQS is unable to grant exceptions and that animals which have not met all requirements as described on their website are subject to being held for extended periods of quarantine, or possibly deported back to the origin of the flight.
The following is a summary of the rules for importing pets into Japan:
The full procedure with time-lines is outlined at the AQS website.
The animal must have microchip identification. This must be done before the rabies vaccinations. The only microchips that can be read at Japan AQS facilities are ISO 11784 and 11785 Standards. For any other chips, you must bring your own microchip reader.
After receipt of the microchip, the animal receives the first of two rabies vaccinations. These must be inactivated rabies vaccinations. Be sure to obtain certification of the period of validity for the particular vaccinations that you obtain (some are good for two years, others for only one). The pet must be at least 90 days old at time of first vaccination.
- The animal receives a second vaccination at least 30 days after the first vaccination.
- Anytime after the second vaccination, the animal must receive a Fluorescent Antibody Viral Neutralization (FAVN) Blood Test to ensure that the rabies vaccinations have provided adequate rabies antibody levels, and must be approved by a facility approved by the Government of Japan. Approved sites are listed at the AQS website (currently there are only two in the U.S.).
- No later than 40 days before arrival in Japan, you must fax a formal notification to AQS on an Import Application Form. This notification form and all other recommended certificates and forms can be found here. AQS will send an acknowledgement upon receipt of the form.
- Obtain a health certificate for the animal verifying that it is free of rabies and, in the case of dogs, leptospirosis. The certificate must be approved by the national government in the country of export (USDA’s APHIS if coming from the U.S.).
- On arrival be prepared to present completed forms “A” and “C” from the AQS site, Acknowledgement of Advance Notification, and completed Import Quarantine Application.
- Animals that arrive with all documents in order, including readable microchip, are normally cleared at the airport in under two hours although AQS states “within 12 hours” on their website.
- Animals that arrive without the appropriate health certificate, without making advance notice to AQS, without a readable microchip ID, or without the proper blood test and 180 day waiting period, will be subject to additional quarantine periods, or possibly deportation upon arrival in Japan.
- Kennel rates while in quarantine in Japan are approximately $30-35 per day.
- For most travelers, the process will take at least seven (7) months from the date of the first rabies vaccination, so advance planning is critical.
For pets transiting Japan, even for overnight stays, Japanese importation laws do not apply. Each individual airline is responsible for transit pets through Japan. It is important for persons transiting Japan to make close coordination with the airline to ensure that all necessary requirements are met.