Japan's dog and cat import regime is run by the MAFF Animal Quarantine Service (AQS) under the Rabies Prevention Law. Requirements depend on whether the dog or cat comes from a designated (rabies-free) region or a non-designated region.
Non-designated regions (most countries)
To import dogs and cats from non-designated regions, they must meet import requirements such as microchip implanting, rabies vaccination at least twice, rabies antibody test, and 180-day waiting. The sequence is strict and cumulative: Dogs and cats must be identified by a microchip before the first rabies vaccination. then Dogs and cats must be vaccinated against rabies twice or more after the microchip implanting. The serology step: Rabies antibody test must be performed at one of the designated laboratories. Antibody titer against rabies must be equal to or greater than 0.5 IU/ml. The test result is valid for 2 years from the date of blood sampling. The mandatory wait: Dogs and cats are required to arrive in Japan after 180 days have passed from the date of blood sampling for the rabies antibody test.
Planning lead time: Applicants must notify Animal Quarantine Service at the expected port of entry not less than 40 days before arrival in Japan. Dogs can enter Japan only through the designated airports and seaports. Pre-departure: Before leaving the exporting country (within 10 days before boarding), dogs and cats must undergo a clinical inspection by a veterinarian. Documentation: Applicants must obtain certificates issued by the government agency (corresponding to Animal Quarantine service in Japan) of the exporting country.
On arrival: Dogs and cats must be inspected by Animal Quarantine Service upon arrival in Japan. In case that the dog or cat doesn’t meet import requirements, it will be subject detention quarantine for up to 180 days or will be returned .
Designated regions (rabies-free)
To import dogs and cats from the designated regions (Iceland, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji Islands, Hawaii, and Guam), they must meet import requirements (e.g. microchip implanting and clinical inspection). Residency proof is required: Dogs and cats must fulfill at least one of the following three conditions; — continuous residence in a designated region since birth, for at least 180 days immediately before export, or since direct import from Japan.
Related: pet_travel_us_cdc_dog_2024 (US outbound dog rules) and pet_travel_ca_cfia (Canada cat/dog rules) for the return or onward trip.
Source: pdf-raw/pet-travel/import-other.txt, pdf-raw/pet-travel/import-free.txt (MAFF AQS, landed 2026-08-18).
Claims (verified C1 substrings of source_file)
To import dogs and cats from non-designated regions, they must meet import requirements such as microchip implanting, rabies vaccination at least twice, rabies antibody test, and 180-day waiting.Dogs and cats must be identified by a microchip before the first rabies vaccination.Dogs and cats must be vaccinated against rabies twice or more after the microchip implanting.Rabies antibody test must be performed at one of the designated laboratories.Antibody titer against rabies must be equal to or greater than 0.5 IU/ml.The test result is valid for 2 years from the date of blood sampling.Dogs and cats are required to arrive in Japan after 180 days have passed from the date of blood sampling for the rabies antibody test.Applicants must notify Animal Quarantine Service at the expected port of entry not less than 40 days before arrival in Japan.Dogs can enter Japan only through the designated airports and seaports.Before leaving the exporting country (within 10 days before boarding), dogs and cats must undergo a clinical inspection by a veterinarian.Applicants must obtain certificates issued by the government agency (corresponding to Animal Quarantine service in Japan) of the exporting country.Dogs and cats must be inspected by Animal Quarantine Service upon arrival in Japan.In case that the dog or cat doesn’t meet import requirements, it will be subject detention quarantine for up to 180 days or will be returned .To import dogs and cats from the designated regions (Iceland, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji Islands, Hawaii, and Guam), they must meet import requirements (e.g. microchip implanting and clinical inspection).Dogs and cats must fulfill at least one of the following three conditions;