2026.04.28
Other information
Call for attention regarding thorough animal and plant quarantine during the long holiday period
The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF), through the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), has requested that we disseminate information and raise awareness about thorough animal and plant quarantine during the long holiday period.
In Asian countries, outbreaks of fruit flies, including the Bactrocera dorsalis species complex, continue to occur. In addition, African swine fever, a malignant livestock disease, continues to occur in Europe and Asia, and new types of foot-and-mouth disease, previously unconfirmed in Asia, have been reported. As the number of foreign visitors to Japan exceeded 40 million in 2025, the risk of pests and infectious diseases entering Japan is extremely high during the long holiday season, when the movement of people and goods becomes even more active.
Strict biosecurity measures will be implemented, including thorough disinfection of shoe soles at airports and seaports, strengthened inspections of personal belongings, and enhanced inspection of international mail at post offices. Please note that the illegal bringing of items may result in penalties of up to 3 years of imprisonment or a fine of up to 3 million yen (up to 50 million yen for corporations).
(Reference)
○ Introduction to Animal and Plant Quarantine "Notice on Animal and Plant Quarantine" *Multilingual https://www.maff.go.jp/pps/j/guidance/pqaqinfo/index.html
○ Video "Prevent livestock infectious diseases from overseas!" *Multilingual
https://www.maff.go.jp/j/syouan/yobou_movie.html
○ Animal Quarantine Station leaflet *Multilingual https://www.maff.go.jp/aqs/topix/pamphlet.html#messages-to-you
○ Animal Quarantine Station poster *Multilingual https://www.maff.go.jp/aqs/topix/pamphlet.html#posters
○ Plant Quarantine Station website "Important Notices" https://www.maff.go.jp/pps/j/information/shomeisho/shomeisho2.html
○ Frequently Asked Questions (Plant Quarantine Station) https://www.maff.go.jp/pps/j/trip/oversea/faq/index.html
○ Frequently Asked Questions (Animal Quarantine Station) https://www.maff.go.jp/j/syouan/douei/katiku_yobo/FAQ.html
In Asian countries, outbreaks of fruit flies, including the Bactrocera dorsalis species complex, continue to occur. In addition, African swine fever, a malignant livestock disease, continues to occur in Europe and Asia, and new types of foot-and-mouth disease, previously unconfirmed in Asia, have been reported. As the number of foreign visitors to Japan exceeded 40 million in 2025, the risk of pests and infectious diseases entering Japan is extremely high during the long holiday season, when the movement of people and goods becomes even more active.
Strict biosecurity measures will be implemented, including thorough disinfection of shoe soles at airports and seaports, strengthened inspections of personal belongings, and enhanced inspection of international mail at post offices. Please note that the illegal bringing of items may result in penalties of up to 3 years of imprisonment or a fine of up to 3 million yen (up to 50 million yen for corporations).
(Reference)
○ Introduction to Animal and Plant Quarantine "Notice on Animal and Plant Quarantine" *Multilingual https://www.maff.go.jp/pps/j/guidance/pqaqinfo/index.html
○ Video "Prevent livestock infectious diseases from overseas!" *Multilingual
https://www.maff.go.jp/j/syouan/yobou_movie.html
○ Animal Quarantine Station leaflet *Multilingual https://www.maff.go.jp/aqs/topix/pamphlet.html#messages-to-you
○ Animal Quarantine Station poster *Multilingual https://www.maff.go.jp/aqs/topix/pamphlet.html#posters
○ Plant Quarantine Station website "Important Notices" https://www.maff.go.jp/pps/j/information/shomeisho/shomeisho2.html
○ Frequently Asked Questions (Plant Quarantine Station) https://www.maff.go.jp/pps/j/trip/oversea/faq/index.html
○ Frequently Asked Questions (Animal Quarantine Station) https://www.maff.go.jp/j/syouan/douei/katiku_yobo/FAQ.html
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