(1) PURPOSE OF THE LAW AND SYSTEM
The objective of this law is to prevent the outbreak of rabies, to control its spread, and to eradicate rabies so as to improve public health and contribute to public welfare.

(2) OUTLINE OF THE LAW AND SYSTEM
The Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries has competence over quarantine of dogs and other designated animals under the Paragraph 2 of Article 7 of the Rabies Prevention Law Quarantine procedures are carried out in accordance with the Regulations for Import and ExportQuarantine of Dogs and other disignated animals (Ordinance of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries).

(3) CABINET ORDER AND MINISTRIAL ORDINANCE
Enforcement Order of the Rabies Prevention Law
Enforcement Regulation of the Rabies Prevention Law
Regulations for Import and Export Quarantine of Dogs.

(4) HIGHLIGHTS OF THE ADMENDMENT
From 2004 the quarantine system have undergone fundamental reform, and requirements upon importation, including prior notification and identification of the animals with microchips (ISO-compliant recommended), have been enforced. For importation from areas other than those listed by the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries as rabies-free, number of vaccination, antibody tests, and detention period at the exporting country have been revised or added.

(5) OUTLINE OF CONTROL
1) Items Covered
Dogs and other animals prescribed by cabinet order with a high public risk of rabies infection (cats, raccoons, foxes and skunks).
2)Outline of Specifications,Standards and Inspections, etc.
i. Notification for Importation
Importers of dogs, cats, raccoon, fox and skunk entering Japan shall notify the Animal Quarantine service(AQS) at least 40 days prior to the date of arrival.


ii. Microchip Identification
Identification of the animal and the export health certificate will be checked by the microchip number. If the microchip does not conform to ISO Standard 11784 and 11785, the importer is required to provide a microchip reader to read the microchip number sccessfully.

iii. Certificate from Designated Rabies free Regions
Dogs, cats, raccoon, fox and skunk directly transported into Japn from any of the countries or territories below will be released from quarantine within 12 hours if the following reuirements are satisfied:
a) Tha animal was fitted with a microchip.
b) The animal has been kept only in any of the designated countries or territories for 180 days, since birth or since the importation from Japan.
c) No case of rabies infection has been confirmed in the country or territory during the past 2 years.
d) The animal has shown no clinical sign of rabies, and leptospirosis for dogs, immediately before departure.
(Note) The rabies free countries and territories as of June 7, 2005 are as follows:
Taiwan, Iceland, Ireland, Sweden, Norway, the United Kingdom (of Great Britain and Northern Ireland), Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Hawaii and Guam

iv. Certificate of Dogs and Cats from Other Countries and Territories
The Quarantine period of dogs and cats entering japan will be within 12 hours if the following requirements are satisfied:
a) The animal was fitted with a microchip, and vaccinated twice against rabies (Note 1) with an inactivated vaccine. The second vaccination shall be given not less than 30 days and not more than 1 year (or within the validity) after the first vaccination; (The day of first vaccination is reckoned as day 0.)
b) After the two vaccinations, a neutralizing antibody titration test was carried out at a laboratory approved by the Japanese government an showed a serum antibody level of at least 0.5IU/ml.
c) At arrival not less than 180 days (Note 2) and not more than 2 years have passed since the serum sampling. (The day of serum sampling is reckoned as day 0.)
d) After the vaccination the animal has been given subsequent rabies booster vaccinations.
e) The animal has shown no clinical sign of rabies and leptospirosis for dogs, immediately before departure.
(Note 1) The animal shall be at least 90 days old before being vaccinated against rabies.
(Note 2) In case 180 days have not passed at arrival, the animal will be detalned in a qurantine facility to make up for the days in shortage. The animal that does not fulfill the above requirements shall be kept for 180 days in quarantine.

f) The Quarantine Period for Faccoon, Fox, and Skunk from Countries or Territories Other Than Designated Rabies Free Regions shall be 180 Days.
For more information visit our website at: http://www.maff-aqs.go.jp/ or contact one of the AQS Offices.

(6) REFERENCE INFORMATION
(Liaison Offices for Further Information)
International Animal Health Affairs Office, Animal Health Division, Food Safety and Consumer Affairs Bureau, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
Tel: 81-3-3502-8295 http://www.maff.go.jp
Animal Quarantine Service, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
Tel: 81-45-751-5921 http://www.maff-aqs.go.jp/