Japan – Importing a Pet

Does Japan allow pets to be imported, and are there restrictions on which animals are permitted?

Japan does permit the entry of domestic pets — chiefly dogs and cats — but operates one of the world’s most demanding regulatory frameworks in order to protect its rabies-free status. Pets entering from non-designated regions must fulfil several prerequisites: implantation of a microchip, a minimum of two rabies vaccinations, a rabies antibody titer test, and a 180-day waiting period. Oversight rests with the Animal Quarantine Service (AQS), an agency operating under Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF).

Species beyond dogs and cats face varying levels of restriction. Japan has prohibited the importation of prairie dogs entirely. Foxes, raccoons, and skunks are subject to a 180-day quarantine period regardless of any prior treatment or documentation. Exotic animals listed under the Washington Convention (CITES) — including certain parrot species, reptiles, and primates — require dedicated import permits and may be wholly prohibited from entry. Before attempting to bring any animal other than a standard pet dog or cat into Japan, check current requirements with both MAFF and Japan Customs.

Japan does not maintain a nationwide breed-specific ban in the way some countries do, but individual airlines, property landlords, and local authorities may impose their own rules regarding large or powerful dog breeds. Japan discourages importing dogs and cats younger than 12 months. Puppies and kittens that are too young to have completed their vaccination schedule face a considerably more complex and lengthy quarantine process upon arrival.

What vaccinations and health requirements do pets need before entering Japan?

Japan’s rabies-free status means its pre-arrival health standards are substantially more stringent than those in countries where rabies remains present. The entire vaccination and testing protocol is oriented around providing laboratory proof that your pet carries sufficient rabies immunity before ever arriving on Japanese soil.

Your pet must be fitted with an ISO-compliant microchip (ISO 11784/11785, a 15-digit numeric code) prior to receiving any rabies vaccination. This sequencing is absolute: any rabies shot administered before the microchip is implanted will be deemed invalid by AQS and cannot count towards the import requirements.

Following microchipping, your pet must receive at least two inactivated rabies vaccinations, both given after the chip is in place. The two shots must be spaced no less than 30 days apart and administered within the recognised duration of the vaccine’s immunity — for example, within one year for an annual vaccine or within three years for a triennial formulation. The most recent vaccination must have been given no fewer than 30 days and no more than 12 months before the date of travel.

After the second vaccination, a blood sample must be sent to a MAFF-designated laboratory for a Fluorescent Antibody Virus Neutralisation (FAVN) test. Only laboratories approved by the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan are acceptable. The result must be at or above 0.5 IU/ml, and a passing result remains valid for two years from the date the sample was taken.

An important 2024–2025 advisory: Biobest Laboratories Ltd. (UK) has been removed from the list of MAFF-designated laboratories. Owners holding certificates issued between 27 November 2024 and 25 June 2025 should contact the Animal Quarantine Office at their port of entry. MAFF’s Animal Health Division is in discussions with UK authorities to resolve the situation. Always confirm that your chosen laboratory is still on the current approved list before submitting a blood sample.

In addition to the mandatory rabies requirements, Japan recommends that dogs and cats aged 91 days or older receive supplementary vaccinations at least 30 days before arrival. For dogs, the recommended combination covers distemper, contagious hepatitis, and parvovirus (plus parainfluenza, leptospirosis, and coronavirus); for cats, a trivalent vaccine covering feline viral rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, and panleukopenia is advised. While these are recommendations rather than legal obligations, they are strongly encouraged — especially for animals that may spend time in a quarantine facility.

Dogs must show no clinical signs of either rabies or leptospirosis; cats must show no clinical signs of rabies. The health certificate must be dated within ten days of the animal’s arrival in Japan. Because approved laboratories and threshold requirements can change, always verify the latest conditions directly with AQS.

What is the application process for importing a pet into Japan, and what paperwork is required?

The import procedure for pets arriving from non-designated regions — which encompasses the majority of Europe, North America, and Asia — is a carefully ordered sequence of steps that must be followed without deviation. Owners should begin preparations a minimum of seven months before their planned arrival in Japan. Skipping stages or completing them in the wrong order is among the most frequent reasons pets are detained in extended quarantine upon arrival.

1. Implant an ISO microchip. The chip must conform to ISO 11784 and 11785 (a 15-digit numeric code) and must be implanted by a veterinarian before any vaccination takes place.
2. Administer at least two inactivated rabies vaccinations. Both must be given after the microchip is fitted, separated by a minimum of 30 days, and delivered within the vaccine’s recognised immunity period. The microchip number must appear on every vaccination certificate.
3. Complete the FAVN rabies antibody test. The blood sample must be submitted — following microchipping and the completion of at least two rabies vaccinations — to a MAFF-designated laboratory. Allow up to three weeks for results to be returned.
4. Observe the 180-day waiting period. Counting from the date of blood collection (day zero), the animal must remain outside Japan for a minimum of 180 days. Arriving before this period expires means the remaining days must be served in a Japanese detention quarantine facility.
5. Notify AQS at least 40 days before arrival. The importer must submit advance notification to the Animal Quarantine Service responsible for the intended port of entry, no later than 40 days before arrival, by fax, post, or via Japan’s NACCS online system.
6. Obtain a government-endorsed health certificate. An accredited or officially authorised veterinarian in the country of export must issue a health certificate within ten days of the animal’s travel date. The certificate must include the microchip number, full vaccination history, FAVN test result, and a clinical examination confirming the animal is free of infectious disease. It must bear an official government endorsement stamp from the relevant authority in the exporting country.
7. Book compliant transport. Confirm that your airline and route involve only approved ports of entry. Follow IATA crate standards and the carrier’s specific requirements. Carry all original documentation — including the FAVN laboratory report and any prior export quarantine certificates — along with digital backups where permitted.
8. Present for import inspection on arrival. On reaching Japan, the importer must apply for import inspection at the AQS office at the port of entry. If all documentation is in order, an import quarantine certificate will be issued.

Carry both printed and electronic copies of all records. As of March 2024, AQS accepts electronically issued health certificates from the USA, Brazil, and Spain. All other countries must provide paper originals bearing official government endorsement stamps.

Does Japan require pets to undergo quarantine on arrival?

Every imported dog and cat must undergo an inspection by AQS upon arrival — there are no exceptions. However, the length of that quarantine depends entirely on whether all pre-arrival conditions have been satisfied. Whereas some destinations impose only brief quarantine periods, Japan’s system can extend to a maximum of 180 days for non-compliant animals, making it one of the strictest regimes worldwide.

Pets arriving with complete documentation and a fulfilled 180-day waiting period are subject to a quarantine of less than 12 hours. Without the required documents, the maximum quarantine time can be 180 days. This on-arrival inspection takes place at AQS premises at the port of entry and, when all paperwork is correct, is typically resolved within half a day.

Dogs and cats arriving from non-designated countries must have waited 180 days from the date of blood sampling for the rabies antibody test before entering Japan. Should a pet arrive before that period has elapsed, it will be placed in quarantine detention for however many days remain — even if the shortfall is a single day.

Dogs and cats that do not satisfy import requirements — including any deficiency in certification — will be held at an AQS detention facility for the necessary period, up to 180 days. All associated costs are the responsibility of the importer. Owners may delegate daily care and feeding to a specialist caretaking company at their own expense. Detention facilities where such companies operate include the Narita branch, the Haneda Airport branch, and the Kansai Airport branch.

Animals held in AQS detention may not leave the facility under any circumstances other than being returned to their country of origin. A veterinarian may attend the facility to provide medical treatment if needed. Owners are permitted to visit their pets during quarantine, though visiting hours and the number of visitors are subject to restrictions.

For context, Australia’s biosecurity framework — itself internationally recognised for its rigour — requires a mandatory 10-day quarantine even for compliant pets from approved countries. Japan’s approach is comparable in its thoroughness, but concentrates the burden on the pre-travel preparation phase: provided every step is completed correctly in advance, on-arrival quarantine is kept to a minimum.

Pets originating from designated regions — Iceland, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji Islands, Hawaii, and Guam — are exempt from quarantine provided all other import requirements are met. These regions are recognised as sharing Japan’s rabies-free status, and the documentation requirements for pets from them are significantly less extensive.

Is Japan part of any international pet travel scheme?

Japan is not a participant in the EU Pet Travel Scheme or any comparable multilateral pet passport arrangement. No universally recognised pet passport document will automatically satisfy Japan’s import conditions. Every owner must compile a Japan-specific documentation package that meets AQS standards, regardless of their country of origin.

The EU Pet Travel Scheme allows an EU-issued pet passport — containing microchip details, rabies vaccination records, and titer test results where required — to be accepted across all participating member states. Japan operates no equivalent system. Instead, the health certificate must be issued in a format approved by MAFF and formally endorsed by the competent government authority of the exporting country. AQS publishes recommended form templates (Form A and Forms B/C/D) on its website for veterinarians and official endorsing bodies to use.

Japan does apply a two-tier framework based on the rabies status of the country of origin. Pets arriving from designated rabies-free regions (Iceland, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji Islands, Hawaii, and Guam) are exempt from quarantine provided all remaining import requirements are fulfilled. Pets from all other non-designated countries must complete the full vaccination, titer test, and 180-day waiting sequence. In practice, the overwhelming majority of pets entering Japan come from non-designated countries and must satisfy the complete set of conditions.

Owners relocating from countries party to the EU Pet Travel Scheme — such as EU member states, the United Kingdom, or Switzerland — should be aware that the EU pet passport they hold carries no substitutive value in Japan. They will still be required to obtain the MAFF-prescribed health certificate endorsed by their national veterinary authority, have the FAVN titer test carried out at a MAFF-designated laboratory, and observe the full 180-day waiting period.

Do pet owners need to register or licence their pet after arriving in Japan?

Once your pet has cleared import inspection and you have received the Import Quarantine Certificate from AQS, a number of ongoing legal obligations come into effect — most notably for dog owners. Domestic pet regulations in Japan are primarily governed by the Rabies Prevention Law and administered at the municipal level.

Dog owners must bring the import quarantine certificate to the municipal office where the dog will be kept and complete registration within 30 days of import. This is a legal requirement under the Rabies Prevention Law, not merely an advisory. The registration system allows local authorities to identify the owner of each dog and to contact them promptly in the event of a rabies outbreak. Once completed, a dog’s registration remains valid for its lifetime.

Registration fees differ between municipalities. As a reference point, registration in Yokohama costs 3,000 yen, and owners receive a metal identification tag upon completion. Contact your local ward or city office to establish the precise fee applicable in your area.

Under the Rabies Prevention Law, all dogs in Japan must be vaccinated against rabies once a year. This annual requirement applies even to dogs that received a valid three-year vaccine in their country of origin. Following each vaccination, the owner must notify the ward office, which will issue a rabies vaccine tag that the dog must wear on its collar. As of 2025, the ward office registration fee associated with the annual rabies shot is approximately ¥550, while the vaccination at a veterinary clinic costs approximately ¥3,520 — though both figures vary by municipality and clinic. Confirm current costs with your local ward office.

Obligations for cat owners are less extensive. No annual vaccination requirement for cats exists under Japanese law, though veterinarians strongly advise keeping combination vaccine boosters current. The cat’s microchip number (provided it conforms to current ISO standards) can be registered domestically using the import quarantine certificate. Registering the microchip with the Animal ID Promotion Organization (AIPO) is advisable: when a lost dog or cat is found in Japan, its owner can be identified if the microchip number is on record in the system.

Although dog registration is a one-time event, owners must notify the municipal office if they change address or if their dog passes away, so that records can be kept accurate.

Are there any additional rules or costs expats should be aware of when bringing a pet to Japan?

Alongside the central documentation and quarantine framework, a range of practical and financial factors can significantly affect your experience of relocating a pet to Japan. Anticipating these details in advance can spare considerable expense and frustration.

Approved ports of entry: Dogs may only be imported through designated ports. Approved airports include New Chitose Airport, Narita International Airport, Haneda Airport, Chubu International Airport, Kansai International Airport, Osaka Itami Airport, Kobe Airport, Kitakyushu Airport, Fukuoka Airport, Kagoshima Airport, and Naha Airport, together with a number of major seaports. If you plan to arrive by sea or via a port not listed here, contact AQS well ahead of time to establish whether your entry point is acceptable.

Airline and carrier rules: Airlines impose their own conditions for transporting pets, so it is essential to contact your carrier directly for detailed guidance. Policies differ considerably between airlines with respect to in-cabin versus cargo hold travel, approved crate dimensions, weight thresholds, and seasonal restrictions. Comply with IATA crate standards and your carrier’s specific instructions. Major carriers such as ANA and JAL publish detailed pet transport guidance on their websites. Some airlines restrict or refuse to carry brachycephalic (short-nosed) breeds such as bulldogs and pugs in the cargo hold owing to respiratory concerns.

Timing your arrival: Wherever possible, schedule your arrival in Japan between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm on a weekday (Monday to Friday) to avoid incurring overtime charges from AQS. Arriving outside standard office hours or on a public holiday may result in additional inspection fees payable by the importer.

Quarantine detention costs: Should your pet be required to serve time in an AQS detention facility, all expenses are your responsibility. The Narita quarantine service charges a detention fee of approximately JPY 3,000 or more per day depending on the animal’s size, covering basic boarding, food, and care (verify the current rate directly with AQS, as fees are subject to change). Depending on the circumstances, additional costs may include transportation, kennel charges, customs clearance, import duty, and agent fees.

Non-ISO microchips: If your pet carries a non-ISO chip, you may need to bring a compatible reader to Japan. Microchip numbers beginning with “900 202” are not currently accepted pending investigation. Check your pet’s chip details against the latest AQS guidelines before travelling.

Finding pet-friendly housing: Only approximately 10–20% of rental properties in Tokyo and Osaka permit pets (based on 2024–2025 market data). Begin your housing search well before departure and scrutinise lease agreements carefully for pet-specific restrictions such as breed or weight limits.

Overall costs: The cumulative cost of relocating a pet internationally to Japan — covering veterinary preparation, laboratory testing, airline transport, and quarantine — can be considerable. Obtain itemised estimates from your veterinarian, laboratory, and airline at an early stage, and incorporate these into your overall relocation budget.

Where can expats find official information about importing a pet into Japan?

Given the detail, legal force, and frequency of updates involved in Japan’s pet import requirements, it is vital to rely on official government sources rather than secondary summaries. The following are the principal authoritative references.

Animal Quarantine Service (AQS) — MAFF: The primary authority for all pet import matters is the Animal Quarantine Service, operating under Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. Their official English-language website at www.maff.go.jp/aqs/english/animal/dog/index.html provides country-specific import guidance, up-to-date lists of designated laboratories, official form templates, and frequently asked questions. This is the single most important resource to consult — and to revisit regularly as your travel date approaches — since approved laboratories and accepted procedures can be revised at short notice.

Japan Customs: Japan Customs provides information on the animal quarantine process at the border and the diseases that authorities seek to prevent, including rabies in dogs, cats, raccoons, foxes, and skunks, and leptospirosis in dogs. Their website explains customs declaration obligations and what to anticipate upon arrival.

Your national veterinary or agriculture authority: The competent authority in your country of export is responsible for officially endorsing your health certificate. In most countries, this is the national ministry responsible for agriculture or veterinary affairs. Your accredited veterinarian will typically advise on which body to approach. Before submitting any forms for government endorsement, confirm that the format you are using aligns with MAFF’s currently accepted templates.

Animal ID Promotion Organization (AIPO): For queries about microchip registration within Japan following your pet’s arrival, contact AIPO through the Japan Veterinary Medical Association. The microchip number can be registered domestically using the import quarantine certificate; for further information, contact AIPO directly.

Anyone planning to bring a pet to Japan is strongly encouraged to contact AQS directly at the branch office for their intended port of entry. Requirements can change with relatively little notice, and a direct discussion with AQS staff will yield the most current and location-specific guidance available.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if my pet arrives in Japan without the correct paperwork?

Japan enforces strict quarantine legislation, and animals failing to meet import requirements may face extended detention or be sent back to the country from which they departed. Dogs and cats that do not satisfy import conditions — including any shortfall in certification — will be held at an AQS detention facility for the period necessary to resolve the deficiency, up to a maximum of 180 days. Every expense incurred during that period is the importer’s responsibility. In the most serious cases, AQS may deny entry altogether and require the animal to be returned to its country of origin at the owner’s cost.

How long does the entire process take from start to finish?

AQS officials advise that the complete process can take up to six months. In practice, owners should begin preparations at least seven months before their planned arrival in Japan to comfortably accommodate microchipping, two rounds of vaccination, laboratory testing, the 180-day waiting period, and advance notification to AQS. Building in extra time also provides a buffer should any step need to be repeated.

Are the rules different for cats versus dogs?

The fundamental import requirements — microchipping, two rabies vaccinations, FAVN titer test, 180-day waiting period, and AQS advance notification — apply equally to both dogs and cats arriving from non-designated regions. The key differences emerge after arrival: dog owners must register with the municipal office within 30 days of import and must keep their dog’s annual rabies vaccination up to date as a legal obligation. Cats are not subject to an equivalent mandatory annual vaccination requirement under Japanese law, though veterinarians strongly recommend keeping boosters current. Port-related requirements for cats may also differ slightly — contact AQS if you are arriving through a non-standard entry point.

Can I import a rescue animal or a pet with an incomplete vaccination history?

Rescue animals are eligible for importation, but they must fulfil exactly the same conditions as any other pet — no exceptions exist for animals with gaps in their medical records. If a rescue has no prior microchip or vaccination history, the entire sequence must begin from the start: implant the chip, administer two post-chip rabies vaccinations, complete the FAVN test, and observe the full 180-day wait. Animals with partial or unverifiable vaccination histories may face extended quarantine upon arrival. Contact AQS before committing to importing a rescue animal so you can clarify what options are available.

Does Japan accept a three-year rabies vaccine instead of an annual one?

For the purpose of pre-export requirements, Japan accepts inactivated rabies vaccines administered within their manufacturer-stated immunity period — so a three-year vaccine given in your home country can be counted towards the import sequence. However, once inside Japan, all dogs are legally required to receive a fresh rabies vaccination every year regardless of the vaccine type used abroad, and each new shot must be reported to the ward office. This is a domestic legal obligation under Japan’s Rabies Prevention Law and cannot be waived on the basis of a longer-duration vaccine administered overseas.

What is a “designated region” and why does it matter?

Designated regions are Iceland, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji Islands, Hawaii, and Guam. Pets arriving from these regions are exempt from quarantine provided all other import requirements are met. Japan recognises these places as sharing its rabies-free status, meaning that the biosecurity risk profile for animals originating there is treated as equivalent to that of Japan itself. Owners relocating from a designated region will face a considerably shorter preparation process, though microchipping, health certificates, and AQS advance notification are still obligatory. Consult AQS to confirm the current list of designated regions, as it may be updated.

Can I bring more than one pet at a time?

Japan does not set a definitive limit on the number of pets a single owner may import simultaneously, but every animal must individually satisfy all import conditions — its own microchip, its own vaccination records, its own FAVN result, and its own entry on the advance notification submitted to AQS. Airlines typically apply their own restrictions on the number of animals they will carry per passenger or per flight. If you are importing several pets at the same time, contact both AQS and your carrier well in advance to confirm the logistics and identify any applicable limits.

What should I do if the FAVN test result is below 0.5 IU/ml?

The rabies titer test result must be at or above 0.5 IU/ml to be valid for import purposes. If your pet’s result falls short of this threshold, the test cannot be used to satisfy Japan’s requirements. A booster vaccination will need to be administered, followed by a repeat blood test at a MAFF-designated laboratory. Critically, the 180-day waiting period does not commence until a satisfactory test result has been obtained — meaning a failed result can add several months to your overall timeline. Discuss the implications with your veterinarian and contact AQS for guidance on how to proceed.