Pets: Requirements for Entrance into Japan

per Dept. of the Army

Please note: This info is copied directly from the paperwork obtained at the Veterinary Facility on MCAS Iwakuni, but the webpage is maintained by an individual. Contact info is at the bottom of the page. Links are provided to copies of the required forms; these are for reference only... you will need to obtain originals for your use.

1. Responsibilities: Owners are responsible for the shipment of pets to, from, and within Japan. Owners are responsible for all matters associated with travel arrangements and shipping requirements for their pets.
2. Requirements for Entry:
   1. Three copies (one original and two copies) of the rabies vaccination certificate. The vaccination nust be at least 30 days old, but not older than one year at the time of entry into Japan. These forms must accompany the animal during transit.
   2. Three copies (original and two copies) of the Health Certificate, issued by the veterinarian which examined your pet, must be dated within 10 days of the animals entry into Japan. These forms must accompany the animal during transit.
      
      NOTE: insure these forms are completely filled out.
      
      
   3. IMPORTANT: If the rabies and/or health certificate were obtained through a civilian veterinarian, they must be indorsed by a field officer, U.S. Department of Agriculture, (USDA). This is to say that a USDA veterinarian must sign both the rabies certificate and the health certificate and place his USDA stamp on the back of each copy. The signature without the stamp is invalid for entry into Japan (NOTE: A state department of agriculture will not be recognized by the Government of Japan, (GOJ) authorities. Owners are encouraged to use military veterinarians.

      *****The Embassy in Rome, in Santa Domingo, in (APO) Miami and in Manila do not have the required stamp, therefore all dogs coming from these areas can expect very lengthy quarantine IF the certificates were issued by a civilian Veterinarian and pets coming from the Philippines will be required to be revaccinated IF a civilian Vet administered the rabies shot. If the rabies shot and health certificate were given by a military veterinarian there will be no quarantine.

   4. If the Rabies certificate and Health certificates are military forms issued by a military veterinarian they don't need to be endorsed by the USDA Veterinarian.
   5. The pet owner or authorized representative (Power of Attorney is required) must have USFJ Form 380-EJ "Customs Free Import or Export of Cargo or Customs Declaration of Personal Property". This form can be obtained from any U.S. Forces Transportation Office. The form must be signed by an authenticating officer, usually the owner's commander or base transportation officer.
   6. All incoming animals must enter Japan through officially designated ports.
      1. By sea the ports are: Keihin, Nagoya, Osaka, Kobe, Kanmon, and Naha.
      2. By air they are: New Tokyo (Narita), Tokyo (Haneda), Nagoya, Osaka, Fukuoka, Kagoshima, and Naha.
      All initial inspections of pets are done by members of the Japanese Animal Quarantine Services, in accordance with existing Japanese laws and directives. Strict compliance and full cooperation by pet owners are essential.
   7. Dogs (NOTE: As of the year 2000, this is now dogs AND cats) must be quarantined for a period of 14 days to 180 days upon entry into Japan. Japanese authorities have granted U.S. Forces personnel the privilege of having their dogs remain in the custody of the owner for a 14 day "home quarantine" provided the owner is to be stationed in an area where the dog can be presented to a U.S. Forces Veterinarian, (USFV), for a final physical examination after the 14 day "home quarantine" and the dog (and/or cat) meets all the requirements for importation to Japan.
   8. The Animal Quarantine Service must verify that the animal's owner is a member of the U.S. Armed Forces. This is done by the USFJ Form 380-EJ or Military Travel Orders.
3. Problems associated with the import of pets:
   1. If the Health Certificate is not properly prepared the dog must stay in quarantine for a period of 30 to 180 days.
   2. If the rabies vaccination certificate is not properly prepared, animals must be detained for a period of a maximum 180 days at facilities of the Japanese Animal Quarantine Service for quarantine inspection. Puppies less than 90 days old will be kept in a government kennel until 90 days old and then inoculated with the rabies vaccine. After inoculation they will be detained for a period of at least 45 days if they have a valid health certificate (30 days in a government kennel and 14 days in owner's home). In cases without a valid health certificate, they will be detained at least 60 days (45 days in government kennel and 14 days in owner's home).
   3. The pet owner is responsible for all expenses associated with all quarantine procedures, to include the transportation procurement actions to and from any quarantine inspection at Japanese Animal Quarantine Service or facilities of the U.S. Armed Forces.
4. Upon arrival at their assigned duty station:
   1. Owners should contact the USFV located at the installation, (see below). The examination should be conducted as soon as possible after the 14 day quarantine period. The dog must be examined from 16 to 30 days following their arrival in Japan.
   2. The pet owner is responsible for transporting the animal to the USFV, and for any expenses incurred.
   3. In cases when pet owners are assigned at a duty station where USFV not stationed (i.e. Iwakuni and Sasebo), the owner must contact the U.S. Army Veterinary personnel at the base or the appropriate command designated office for instructions concerning final physical examination at the next scheduled visit of a USFV. The veterinarian normally visits both Iwakuni and Sasebo on bi-monthly basis. Therefore, the dog must have the final physical examination from 16 to 60 days following arrival in Japan.

      SPECIAL NOTE: The practice of allowing dogs to remain in the custody of their owners during the 14 day "home quarantine" is a privilege and is not obligatory upon Japanese authorities. Therefore, it is imperative that U.S. Forces dog owners cooperate and comply fully with Japanese Quarantine Laws and military regulations pertaining to the requirements for examining or otherwise processing animals for entry into or exit from Japan. Failure to present the animal to a USFV for the final physical examination is a serious violation of the Japanese law and may result in a fine or other punishment. Failure to comply with the requirements fo final physical examination will also result in a report of the incident being forwarded through command channels to the individuals commanding office.

Location of U.S. Forces Veterinary Treatment Facilities, (VTF)

*The military installation is visited on a cyclic basis. The base Veterinary Treatment Facility should be contacted to make the necessary arrangements for the final quarantine exam.

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