(1) PURPOSE OF THE LAW AND SYSTEM
The objective of this Law is to control the outbreak of and to prevent
of the spread of infectious diseases by establishing necessary measures
concerning prevention of infections and medical care for patients of infection,
and thereby to promote the improvement and upgrading of public health.
(2) OUTLINE OF THE LAW AND SYSTEM
Since import quarantines for designated animals prescribed by the Law Concerning
the Prevention of Infections and Medical Care for Patients of Infection
fall under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and
Fisheries in the Chapter 8 of the said Law, import quarantines are conducted
in accordance with Ministerial Ordinance For the Establishment of Import
Prohibited Area under Article 54, paragraph 1 of the Law Concerning the
Prevention of Infections Diseases and Medical Care for Patients of Infection
(joint ministerial ordinance between the Ministry of Health and Welfare,
and Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries) and the Regulation
for Importation of Animal Potentially Transmitting Pathogens of Infections
(Ordinance of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries).
(3) CABINET ORDER AND MINISTRIAL ORDINANCES
Enforcement Order of the Law Concerning the Prevention of Infections and
Medical Care for Patients of Infections
Enforcement Regulations of the Law Concerning the Prevention of Infections and Medical Care for Patients of Infections
Ministerial Ordinance For the Designation of Import Prohibited Area under Article 54, paragraph 1 of the Law Concerning the Prevention of Infections and Medical Care for Patients of Infections
Regulation for Importation of Animal Potentially Transmitting Pathogens of Infections
(4) OUTLINE OF THE CONTROL
1) Items Covered
Infectious diseases (Ebola hemorrhagic fever and Marburg disease) prescribed by cabinet order regarding designated animals (non-human primates) prescribed by cabinet order
2) Outline of Specifications, Standards and Inspections, etc.
i. Content of the Control
When importing designated animals, notifications must be sent to the quarantine service no later than 40 days before arrival in Japan, and upon arrival inspection will be conducted by the animal quarantine officer to determine whether or not the animals are subject to import prohibition or infected with infectious diseases prescribed by cabinet order (such as Ebola hemorrhagic fever and Marburg disease), or whether or not inspection certificate is attached, among other things. Importation of monkeys are prohibited, except from the following approved exporting countries: United States of America, People's Republic of China, Republic of Indonesia, Republic of the Philippines, Socialist Republic of Viet Nam, Co-operative Republic of Guyana, and Republic of Suriname (as of November, 2005). In addition, purposes of importation is limited to experiment, research, or for exhibition in zoos.
ii. Procedures for Application
Any person who intends to import a designated animal shall make its notification to the animal quarantine service(Paragraph 3 of Article 55 of the Law).
iii. Certification System
As a result of an inspection, when Animal quarantine officer deems a designated animal not to be suspected of spreading infectious diseases, he/she shall issue an import quarantine certificate.
(5) RECENT IMPORTANT AMENDMENTS
Amendment in October, 2003, newly established a notification system for
animal importation (Article 56.2), among other revisions.
(6) REFERENCE INFORMATION
(Liaison Offices for Further Information)
Office of International Animal Health Affairs,
Animal Health Division, Food Safety and Consumer Affairs Bureau,
Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
Tel: 03-3502-8295 http://www.maff.go.jp
Animal Quarantine Service, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
Tel: 045-751-5921 http://www.maff-aqs.go.jp/