FAQ Pertaining to Animal Quarantine

Table of Contents

【For travelers in general】

I  Bringing in livestock products

1-1．What is animal quarantine for?

1-2．Why am I prohibited from bringing these products into Japan?

1-3．Why is bringing these products in prohibited?

1-4．Why can’t I even bring in processed products?

1-5．Am I even prohibited from bringing frozen products into the country?

1-6．I don’t understand why I can’t bring in instant noodles.

1-7．Can I bring in vacuum-packed meat products?

1-8．If a product is sold in duty-free stores, does that mean it won’t be confiscated if I bring it in?

1-9．Am I still prohibited from bringing in food even if it’s part of a meal I was served on-board the flight?

1-10．What precautions should I take when traveling abroad?

1-11．What should I do if I notice that I’ve accidentally brought a meat product into Japan after I’ve already arrived at the airport?

1-12．Will I still be penalized if I voluntarily declare that I have meat products?

1-13．Are there food products other than livestock products that I’m not allowed to bring into Japan?

1-14．Can I bring in cheese or other dairy products as gifts?

II  Visits to guest ranches, etc., after returning to Japan

2-1．Why do I have to refrain from going to guest ranches, etc., for a week after returning to Japan?

2-2．Do viruses that are stuck to our clothes or shoes really infect livestock or wild animals?

2-3．What facilities should I avoid going to within a week of returning to Japan?

2-4．I’m thinking of going to a petting zoo now that it’s been over a week since I’ve returned to Japan.

2-5．Are there any more precautions I should be taking?

【For those in the livestock industry】

L1. I can’t do my job if I’m not allowed in a barn for a week after returning to Japan.1．

L2. I want visitors to be able to come visit my petting zoo or guest ranch the way they did before. What should I do?

 

【For foreign nationals staying in Japan for an extended period of time (including technical intern trainees, etc.)】

F1. Would it be okay for me to bring in a small amount of meat products for personal consumption?

F2. Am I still prohibited from going into a barn for a week if I go back to my home country temporarily, then return to Japan?

 

【For foreign tourists visiting Japan】

T1. What should I do if I want to visit a petting zoo or guest ranch in Japan?．

T2. To what extent do I need to disinfect the products I’ve brought with me to Japan?

【Other】

O1. Isn’t it more important to inform foreign tourists of these regulations?

O2. Will livestock have to be slaughtered if foot-and-mouth disease or African swine fever is introduced in Japan?

O3. What kind of impact will foot-and-mouth disease or African swine fever have if introduced in Japan?

O4. I have a pet pig. Are there any precautions I should be taking?

O5. What is foot-and-mouth disease?

O6. What is African swine fever?

 FAQs

【For travelers in general】

I  Bringing in livestock products

1-1．I’ve had meat products confiscated at the airport before when entering Japan. Why are meat products subject to quarantine at airports and ports in the first place? What is animal quarantine for?

Animal quarantine is a measure used to prevent domestic animal infectious diseases from being introduced to the country via live animals or meat products, etc.*.

“Meat products, etc.” cover a wide range of products.
It includes, of course, products whose main ingredient is meat, such as fresh meat, cured ham, sausage, salami, bacon, and jerky. Products that contain even the slightest amount of meat, such as nikuman (Japanese steamed pork buns), gyoza (Japanese dumplings), ham sandwiches, onsen tamago (Japanese low-temperature boiled egg), and leftovers from in-flight meals, are also subject to animal quarantine.

The introduction of domestic animal infectious diseases, such as foot-and-mouth disease, African swine fever, and highly pathogenic avian influenza, put the lives and health of cattle, pigs, chickens, and other livestock at risk. This results in a drop in the production of products like meat, milk, and eggs, which causes economic damage to livestock farmers, processors, etc. What’s more, if the situation becomes even more serious, it can cause problems such as food shortages and price hikes.

For this reason, Japan generally prohibits the importation of live animals and livestock products, etc., from areas where there are outbreaks of virulent domestic animal infectious diseases. Japan also limits imports even from other areas to those that have been inspected in advance by the government of the exporting country (documentation [inspection certificate] must be submitted to prove that the inspection has been conducted), amongst other measures, thus only allowing imports that are deemed to pose no risk of spreading domestic animal infectious diseases.

Note also that it is very difficult to obtain inspection certificates for livestock products purchased at duty-free stores or supermarkets as gifts or for personal consumption (except for certain stores in the U.S. and Canada), which means in most cases you are practically prohibited from bringing such products into Japan (See 1-11 for details).

Meat products, etc., that are brought into Japan must be inspected upon arrival in Japan, at the Animal Quarantine Service counter located prior to customs inspection. This inspection is required even for meat products that you are permitted to bring into Japan. If you accidentally bring back meat products that you are prohibited from importing, please dispose of them in the voluntary disposal box at the airport or port.

If you are found to have brought meat products into Japan without declaring them, and if the act is deemed to be malicious, you may be arrested by the police. Note that in the event this occurs, you will be subject to a penalty for attempting to illegally bring in such goods (a fine of up to three million yen [up to 50 million yen for corporations] or imprisonment for up to three years).

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1-2．If you are found to have brought meat products into Japan without declaring them, and if the act is deemed to be malicious, you may be arrested by the police. Note that in the event this occurs, you will be subject to a penalty for attempting to illegally bring in such goods (a fine of up to three million yen [up to 50 million yen for corporations] or imprisonment for up to three years).

Outbreaks of domestic animal infectious diseases and sanitary conditions vary from country to country, which means that products distributed in the exporting country may not necessarily be safe for livestock in Japan.

There have been several reported cases globally of domestic animal infectious diseases that have spread via meat to distant countries. It is not necessarily the case that food products distributed in another country are free of domestic animal infectious disease-causing pathogens.

For example, the 2007 outbreak of African swine fever in the Caucasus region is suspected to have been caused by residue from food products exported via ships on international shipping routes.

Reference: “African Swine Fever” [External link], National Institute of Animal Health, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization

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1-3．I’ve brought back a very small amount of meat products to eat myself. I don’t see how this could lead to an outbreak of a domestic animal infectious disease, so why am I prohibited from bringing in even these small amounts?

You are generally prohibited from bringing even small amounts of meat products into Japan, as even a small amount of domestic animal infectious disease-causing pathogens can lead to infection*.

*For example, it has been found that African swine fever can spread even through the very small amounts of blood sucked by ticks.

Reference: “African Swine Fever” [External link], National Institute of Animal Health, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization

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1-4．Why can’t I bring in even heat-treated products like sausage and ham, or dried/smoked products like beef jerky?

Many domestic animal infectious disease viruses, etc., lose their capacity to infect when sufficiently heated.

It is impractical, however, to visually inspect each food product that is brought into Japan to check that it has been sufficiently heated. As such, you are generally prohibited from bringing even heat-treated products into the country, except in cases where the government of the exporting country has proven that the product has been sufficiently heated.

There was a case in the past in which sausages confiscated from a person entering Japan were found to be contaminated with live African swine fever virus. While the sausages appeared to have been heated when checked visually, they had actually not been heated sufficiently.

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1-5．Am I also prohibited from bringing in frozen products like frozen dumplings, pizza, and fried rice?

Some domestic animal infectious disease-causing pathogens can survive extended periods of refrigeration. For example, it has been reported that the foot-and-mouth disease virus can survive for more than six months in frozen conditions.

For this reason, you are generally prohibited from bringing frozen meat products into Japan as well.

 Reference: “Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus and the Disease Nature by the Virus” [External link], National Institute of Animal Health, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization

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1-6．I don’t understand why I can’t bring in instant noodles. Why?

If the instant noodles contain meat, and the meat has not been sufficiently heated, the virus or other infectious agent may still have the capacity to infect.

For this reason, instant noodles are generally prohibited from being brought into Japan if there is meat on the ingredient label.

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1-7．Can I bring in vacuum-packed meat products?

Viruses and other infectious agents do not lose their capacity to infect even when vacuum-packed. As such, vacuum-packed meat products are subject to animal quarantine and you are generally prohibited from bringing them into Japan.

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1-8．I was told by a clerk at a duty-free store in an airport overseas that I could bring a product into Japan. If an item is sold in duty-free stores, does that mean it won’t be confiscated if I bring it in? It says that we’re “generally prohibited” from bringing these products in. In what cases are we allowed to bring in meat products as gifts or for personal consumption?

The only meat products, etc., that may be brought into Japan are those that come with a certificate of inspection for Japan, issued by the government of the exporting country, and that are inspected upon arrival in Japan at the Animal Quarantine Service counter located prior to customs inspection. Products purchased in duty-free stores are no exception to this rule.

Because it is very difficult to obtain an inspection certificate issued by the exporting country for gifts and for personal consumption, in most cases you are practically prohibited from bringing meat products, etc., into Japan for these purposes. There are meat products sold in the U.S., Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, however, that have inspection certificates issued by these respective countries on the packaging, and these products may be brought into Japan.

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1-9．Can I bring in food products that I’ve purchased at kiosks at overseas airports following immigration, or food that I was given on-board the flight to Japan?

Food purchased at kiosks at overseas airports following immigration, and in-flight meals on international flights are also subject to animal quarantine if they contain meat products, etc., and you are generally prohibited from bringing them into Japan.

This is because of cases like the 2007 outbreak of African swine fever in the Caucasus region, which is suspected to have been caused by residue from food products served on-board ships on international shipping routes. 

Reference: “African Swine Fever” [External link], National Institute of Animal Health, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization

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1-10．What precautions should I take when traveling abroad to avoid bringing domestic animal infectious disease-causing pathogens into Japan?

There are various outbreaks of domestic animal infectious diseases, like foot-and-mouth disease and African swine fever, occurring overseas. If you touch livestock or step on farm soil while traveling, your clothes and shoes may carry domestic animal infectious disease viruses, etc., which you may then bring to Japan.

For this reason, avoid facilities with livestock, markets where live animals are sold, etc., while abroad.

If you have touched livestock or visited a farm while abroad, stop by the Animal Quarantine Service counter prior to customs inspection upon arrival in Japan, and follow the staff’s instructions to disinfect your shoes, etc.

Do not visit facilities where you will be exposed to animals or livestock for a week after your return to Japan.If you have no choice but to visit these facilities, please check with the facility in advance, and follow the instructions given by the facility to ensure that you undergo the proper disinfection procedures, etc.

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1-11．What should I do if I notice I’ve brought back a meat product at the airport, or if I realize a family member has brought back a meat product as a gift?

Please ensure that any livestock products you are in possession of upon arrival in Japan undergo inspection at the Animal Quarantine Service counter prior to customs inspection.

If you notice that you have livestock products that have not been inspected upon arrival at your home, please contact the Animal Quarantine Service as soon as possible, leaving the container and packaging of the product as it is.

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1-12．Will I still be penalized if I voluntarily declare that I have meat products?

Meat products, etc., that are brought into Japan must be inspected upon arrival in Japan, at the Animal Quarantine Service counter located prior to customs inspection, even if they are ones you are permitted to bring into Japan.

If you accidentally bring back meat products that you are prohibited from importing, please dispose of them in the voluntary disposal box at the airport.

If you are found to have brought meat products into Japan without declaring them, and if the act is deemed to be malicious, you may be arrested by the police. Note that in the event this occurs, you will be subject to a penalty for attempting to illegally bring in such goods (a fine of up to three million yen [up to 50 million yen for corporations] or imprisonment for up to three years).

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1-13．Are there food products other than livestock products that I’m not allowed to bring into Japan?

Subject to plant quarantine inspections are plants for cultivation, such as seedlings, saplings, bulbs, and seeds; plants for consumption such as vegetables, fruits, cut flowers, wood materials, grains, and beans; live insects and microorganisms harmful to plants; and used agricultural machinery. Contact a Plant Protection Station for details.

Some live aquatic animals and other items require import permission from the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. See “Entry into Japan - Aquatic animals -” for details.

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1-14．Can I bring in cheese or other dairy products as gifts?

Products like cheese, milk, cream, and butter may be brought into Japan as portable items (brought in as carry-on baggage, checked baggage, or as unaccompanied baggage), as they are not subject to animal quarantine.

Please note that dairy products that are not portable items are subject to animal quarantine. See “Animal quarantine inspection for dairy products” for details.

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II  Visits to guest ranches, etc., after returning to Japan

2-1．Why do I have to refrain from going to guest ranches, etc., for a week after returning to Japan?

Domestic animal infectious-disease causing pathogens and other infectious agents can enter the country by sticking to people’s clothing, shoes, etc.

For this reason, we ask that you avoid contact with livestock for about a week after returning to Japan to avoid passing any viruses stuck to your clothing and shoes on to livestock.

 Reference: “Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus and the Disease Nature by the Virus” [External link], National Institute of Animal Health, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization

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2-2．Do viruses that are stuck to our clothes or shoes really infect livestock or wild animals? I don’t believe this can really happen.

There is the example of foot-and-mouth disease, one of the virulent infectious diseases that are causing outbreaks in neighboring countries.

The most common cause of international transmission for foot-and-mouth disease is raw sewage from livestock products and cooking areas (66% of all cases). However, it is also reported to be spread by wind and migratory birds (22% of all cases), the movement of livestock (6% of all cases), and through people and objects (4% of all cases).

In fact, it is highly likely that the 2010 outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in Japan was caused by people or objects from an Asian country with an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease.

Also remember that even small amounts of domestic animal infectious disease-causing pathogens can lead to infection*.

*For example, it has been reported that African swine fever can be transmitted with the introduction of a very small number of viruses (10 or less) into the body, and it has been found that it can spread even through the very small amounts of blood sucked by ticks. 

Reference: “Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus and the Disease Nature by the Virus” [External link], National Institute of Animal Health, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization; “Report of the Foot-and-Mouth Disease Control Verification Committee,” Foot-and-Mouth Disease Control Verification Committee; Yamada et al., “Experimental infection of pigs with different doses of the African swine fever virus Armenia 07 strain by intramuscular injection and direct contact,” J. Vet. Med. Sci. 82 (12): 1835-1845, 2020.

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2-3．What facilities other than ranches should I avoid going to within a week of returning to Japan? Please give me specifics.

Facilities where you are exposed to animals. This refers specifically to petting zoos and guest ranches if you are part of the general public, and livestock markets and livestock shows if you are involved in the livestock industry.

Please also avoid entering farms where livestock are being raised unless necessary, not just within a week of your return to Japan but simply in general.

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2-4．I’m thinking of going to a petting zoo now that it’s been over a week since I’ve returned to Japan. Are there any precautions I need to take in terms of how I feed or interact with them?

It has been reported that viruses and other infectious agents can survive in the environment for extended periods of time. For example, there have been reports that the foot-and-mouth disease virus remains infectious for 63 to 98 days when stuck to clothing.

For this reason, we ask that you do not wear hats, jackets, shoes, etc., that you have worn abroad within the past four months when visiting these sorts of facilities.

 

Table: Survival times of foot-and-mouth disease virus

 

Please also wash your hands thoroughly and disinfect yourself before and after touching any animals, to prevent passing diseases onto or receiving diseases from the animals.

Reference: “Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus and the Disease Nature by the Virus” [External link], National Institute of Animal Health, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization

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2-5．I understand the precautions I need to take in terms of bringing meat products into Japan or visiting facilities with animals. Are there any more precautions I should be taking?

Even if a meat product carrying a virus or other infectious agent is brought into Japan, it will not lead to an outbreak of the disease as long as the virus is not transmitted to livestock or wild animals.

The key to this is the proper disposal of garbage.
For example, leaving leftover meat products and packaging/containers outdoors at camps and barbecues can infect the wild boars and deer that come to scavenge with infectious diseases.

Even garbage that is disposed in a garbage dump, if not managed properly, may result in viruses sticking to the crows and rats that come to scavenge, which can then be carried to nearby ranches and pig farms.

Please dispose of any garbage that includes food properly, so that it will not be scavenged by wild animals.

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【For those in the livestock industry】

L1．I can’t do my job if I’m not allowed in a barn for a week after returning to Japan. Is there anything that can be done?

Those who keep livestock are required to follow the “Biosecurity Standards” under the Act on Domestic Animal Infectious Diseases Control, to prevent the introduction and spread of domestic animal infectious diseases.
These standards state that those who have entered the country from abroad in the past week are not permitted to enter hygiene management areas. However, this does not apply in cases where doing so would be unavoidable, and where appropriate measures are taken, such as bathing or changing into specialized clothing and shoes. See the “Manual for livestock hygiene management” at your farm for details.

Do not bring clothing, shoes, tools, etc., used abroad in the past four months (or within the past two months for farms with chickens, horses, etc.) into hygiene management areas.

Avoid traveling to countries with outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease and/or African swine fever as much as possible. Also avoid bringing mail or other postal items from farms in these countries into hygiene management areas.

Avoid facilities with livestock, markets where live animals are sold, etc., while abroad.
In the event that you touch livestock or visit a farm while abroad, stop for an inspection at the Animal Quarantine Service counter prior to customs inspection upon arrival in Japan, and follow the staff’s instructions to disinfect your shoes, etc.

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L2．I’m the owner of a petting zoo or guest ranch, and I want foreign tourists to be able to visit my facility the way they did before. What should I do?

Those who keep livestock are required to follow the “Biosecurity Standards” under the Act on Domestic Animal Infectious Diseases Control, to prevent the introduction and spread of domestic animal infectious diseases.These standards state that those who have entered the country from abroad in the past week are not permitted to enter hygiene management areas.

However, exceptions are made for facilities such as petting zoos and guest ranches that are open to the general public, and that have prepared rules to prevent the introduction of pathogens and other infectious agents, that have been checked by the relevant prefectural officials and deemed to be appropriate.

Please ensure that users comply with the rules to prevent the introduction of domestic animal infectious diseases. If your facility has not yet established any such rules, please consult the Livestock Hygiene Service Center as soon as possible to establish these rules.

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【For foreign nationals staying in Japan for an extended period of time (including technical intern trainees, etc.)】

F1．Would it be okay to bring in a small amount of meat products for personal consumption, like the amount that my family or friends would ship to me personally?

Even a very small amount of domestic animal infectious disease-causing pathogens can cause infection*. As such, even products that are sent to you personally by friends or family are subject to animal quarantine, and you are generally prohibited from importing them. There are explanatory videos on this matter in Chinese, Tagalog, and Vietnamese as well.

*For example, it has been reported that African swine fever can be transmitted with the introduction of a very small number of viruses (10 or less) into the body, and it has been found that it can spread even through the very small amounts of blood sucked by ticks.

 Reference: “African Swine Fever” [External link], National Institute of Animal Health, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization; Yamada et al., “Experimental infection of pigs with different doses of the African swine fever virus Armenia 07 strain by intramuscular injection and direct contact,” J. Vet. Med. Sci. 82 (12): 1835-1845, 2020.

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F2．Am I still prohibited from going into a barn for a week if I’m a technical intern trainee at a livestock farm, and go back to my home country temporarily before returning to Japan?

Those who keep livestock are required to follow the “Biosecurity Standards” under the Act on Domestic Animal Infectious Diseases Control, to prevent the introduction and spread of domestic animal infectious diseases. These standards state that those who have entered the country from abroad in the past week are not permitted to enter hygiene management areas. However, this does not apply in cases where doing so would be unavoidable, and where appropriate measures are taken, such as bathing or changing into specialized clothing and shoes. See the “Manual for livestock hygiene management” at your farm for details.

Do not bring clothing, shoes, tools, etc., used abroad in the past four months (or within the past two months for farms with chickens, horses, etc.) into hygiene management areas.

Avoid traveling to countries with outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease and/or African swine fever as much as possible. Also avoid bringing mail or other postal items from farms in these countries into hygiene management areas.

There are resources explaining rearing hygiene management in English, Vietnamese, etc. [External link].

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【For foreign tourists visiting Japan】

T1．What should I do if I’m staying in Japan for less than a week, but want to visit a petting zoo or guest ranch in Japan?

The Biosecurity Standards under the Act on Domestic Animal Infectious Diseases Control prohibit those who keep livestock from allowing people that have entered Japan from overseas within the past week to enter their farms, in order to prevent the introduction and spread of domestic animal infectious diseases.

However, exceptions are made for facilities such as petting zoos and guest ranches that are open to the general public, and that have prepared rules to prevent the introduction of pathogens and other infectious agents, that have been checked by the relevant prefectural officials and deemed to be appropriate.

Please ensure that you follow the rules for disinfection, etc., established by the petting zoo and guest ranch.

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T2．I walked over the shoe sole disinfection mat at the airport. To what extent do I need to disinfect the suitcase, clothing, and other items I’ve brought with me to Japan?

Check the soles of your shoes and wheels of your suitcase for soil/mud, and disinfect them thoroughly with the disinfection mat. If you are bringing golf shoes or other items into Japan, please wash off any mud thoroughly beforehand.

Those who have been exposed to livestock overseas, for example by visiting a guest ranch, must stop by the Animal Quarantine Service counter prior to customs inspection upon their arrival in Japan, and disinfect their shoes and clothing.

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【Other】

O1．Isn’t it more important to inform foreign tourists of these regulations than Japanese people returning from abroad?

We believe it is important to inform both Japanese people returning from abroad and foreign tourists visiting Japan of these regulations.

We reach out to foreign tourists visiting Japan through the posters at airports, in-flight announcements on certain aircrafts, by posting information through social media, and more. Please help us spread the word about the information in this FAQ.

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O2．Will livestock have to be slaughtered if foot-and-mouth disease or African swine fever is introduced in Japan? Why do they have to be killed? Isn’t there anything that can be done besides killing them?

The Biosecurity Standards state that livestock that have contracted foot-and-mouth disease, African swine fever, or other domestic animal infectious diseases must immediately be killed and incinerated/buried in accordance with the orders of the prefectural government.

Because viruses and other infectious agents of domestic animal infectious diseases multiply thousands of times in the bodies of live livestock, infected livestock can spread pathogens to their surroundings and cause the disease to spread.

For this reason, if there is an outbreak of a domestic animal infectious disease, the effective and efficient thing to do is to eliminate the source of the infection by killing the infected livestock and thus eradicating the pathogen.

Note also that there is no cure for foot-and-mouth disease or African swine fever.

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O3．What kind of impact will an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease or African swine fever have on Japan?

The 2010 outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in Miyazaki Prefecture damaged not only livestock-related industries, but also tourism, commerce/industry, and many other areas, resulting in approximately 235 billion yen in damages in the prefecture (estimate by Miyazaki Prefecture). It also caused numerous events to be cancelled, with for example, the Miyazaki tournament of the Japanese High School Baseball Championship held without spectators, which reportedly had a significant impact on the lives of the prefecture’s residents.

There have been no outbreaks of African swine fever thus far in Japan. During the 2018 outbreak in China, however, the number of pigs kept in China temporarily declined by up to 40%, resulting in a pork shortage and a spike in retail prices.

Reference: Miyazaki Prefecture Foot-and-Mouth Disease Recovery Memorial Website [External website], “Livestock Production Information (December 2020),” Agriculture & Livestock Industries Corporation (Wang Ziquan et al., College of Economics and Management, China Agricultural University, “Impact of African Swine Fever on the Chinese Pig Farming Industry” [External link])

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O4．I have a pet pig. Are there any precautions I should be taking?

Under the Act on Domestic Animal Infectious Diseases Control, those who keep livestock are required to engage in hygiene management according to the Biosecurity Standards. This applies to those who keep mini-pigs or other animals as pets, or those keeping livestock at educational or research institutions*.

See the “Biosecurity Standards” for details. There is also a guidebook that explain these standards through manga, as well as a checklist.

Under the same law, those who keep livestock must report the number of livestock they are keeping to the prefectural government every year. If the number of livestock kept is six or more (in the case of pigs), you must also report your rearing hygiene management circumstances, amongst other conditions.

Under the Rendering Plant Control Act, those keeping livestock in designated areas, such as urban areas or tourist landmarks, must obtain a permit from a public health center. For more details, please contact your local public health center.

*Applies in cases where you are keeping one or more of the following animals. The purpose of these animals (pet, research, etc.) is irrelevant.

Cattle, buffalo, deer, sheep, goats, horses, pigs (including mini-pigs and boar-pig hybrids), boars, chickens (including silky fowl, chabo, and bantam chickens), quail, ducks (call ducks), pheasants, ostriches (including emus), guineafowl, and turkeys

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O5．What is foot-and-mouth disease?

Foot-and-mouth disease is an infectious disease of cattle, pigs, goats, deer, boars, etc., caused by the foot-and-mouth disease virus, that does not infect humans.

Foot-and-mouth disease is characterized by symptoms such as blistering of the mouth and hooves, fever, and drooling. It is highly contagious and has a high mortality rate amongst young animals. While the mortality rate amongst adult livestock is low, the stunting caused by the diseases results in their loss of value as industrial animals.

Because of the enormous impact that an outbreak would have on the livestock industry, the Act on Domestic Animal Infectious Diseases Control requires that infected livestock, etc., be immediately reported and killed.

Most recently, there was the 2010 outbreak in Miyazaki Prefecture, the first outbreak in a decade. By 2011, however, Japan had already reverted to disease-free status. Outbreaks continue to occur in neighboring Asian countries such as China, and an outbreak was confirmed in Korea in May 2023. It is important to remain vigilant against the introduction of foot-and-mouth disease from overseas, and to work to prevent outbreaks.

Reference: “Outbreak of Foot-and-Mouth Disease in Miyazaki Prefecture” [External link], Food Safety Commission; “Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus and the Disease Nature by the Virus” [External link], National Institute of Animal Health, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization

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