Provisional translation

Act on Welfare and Management of Animals(Act No. 105 of October 1, 1973)
Last revision: Act No. 46 of May 30, 2014

Table of Contents
Chapter I General Provisions (Article 1 to Article 4)
Chapter II Basic Guidelines, etc. (Article 5 and Article 6)
Chapter III Proper Treatment of Animals
Section 1 General Provisions (Article 7 to Article 9)Section 2 Type I Animal Handling Business (Article 10 to Article 24)
Section 3 Type II Animal Handling Business (Article 24-2 to Article 24-4)
Section 4 Measures Pertaining to Preservation of the Living Environment, etc.
(Article 25)
Section 5 Measures to Prevent Animals from Causing Infringement on the Life, etc.
of Humans (Article 26 to Article 33)
Section 6 Officials in Charge of Animal Welfare (Article 34)
Chapter IV Measures Taken by Prefectures, etc. (Article 35 to Article 39)
Chapter V Miscellaneous Provisions (Article 40 to Article 43)
Chapter VI Penal Provisions (Article 44 to Article 50)
Supplementary Provisions
Chapter I General Provisions(Purpose)
Article 1 The purpose of this Act is to engender a spirit for animal welfare among
citizens and contribute to the development of a respect for life and sentiments ofamity and peace by providing for the prevention of cruelty to and abandonment ofanimals, the proper handling of animals and other matters concerning animal
welfare such as maintaining the health and safety of animals, as well as to prevent
animals from causing an infringement on the life, body or property of humans or
impediments in preserving the living environment by providing for mattersconcerning the management of animals, thereby realizing a symbiotic society ofhumans and animals.
(Fundamental Principle)
Article 2 (1) In light of the fact that animals are living beings, no person shalldestroy, injure, or inflict cruelty on animals without reason, and every person shalltreat animals properly by taking into account their natural habits and giving

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Provisional translationconsideration to the symbiosis between humans and animals.
(2) When handling an animal, every person shall secure an environment forcarrying out appropriate feeding and watering, the necessary health management,
and the care and keeping of the animal that give consideration to such aspects as thekind and habit of the animal, within the extent that does not impede the attainmentof the purpose of the care and keeping of the animal.
(Dissemination and Awareness Raising)
Article 3 The national government and local governments shall, in accordance withthe purpose of the previous Article, endeavor to achieve dissemination andawareness raising with regard to the welfare and proper care of animals incoordination with each other through educational activities, publicity activities andother similar activities at such places as schools, communities and homes.
(Be Kind to Animals Week)
Article 4 (1) A Be Kind to Animals Week shall be established in order to enhance theinterest and understanding of citizens in general concerning the welfare and propercare of animals, which are living beings.
(2) The Be Kind to Animals Week shall be the period from September 20 throughSeptember 26.
(3) During the Be Kind to Animals Week, the national government and local
governments shall endeavor to implement events appropriate for the purpose of said
campaign.
Chapter II Basic Guidelines, etc.
(Basic Guidelines)
Article 5 (1) The Minister of the Environment shall formulate basic guidelines forcomprehensively promoting measures for the welfare and management of animals(hereinafter referred to as the "basic guidelines").
(2) The basic guidelines shall provide for the following matters:(i) the basic direction concerning the promotion of measures for the welfare andmanagement of animals;(ii) basic matters concerning the formulation of the animal welfare and management
promotion plan prescribed in paragraph (1) of the following Article; and(iii) any other important matters concerning the promotion of measures for thewelfare and management of animals.
(3) The Minister of the Environment shall, when he/she intends to formulate orchange the basic guidelines, consult with the heads of the relevant administrative
organs in advance.
(4) The Minister of the Environment shall, when he/she has formulated or changed
the basic guidelines, make them public without delay.
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Provisional translation(Animal Welfare and Management Promotion Plan)
Article 6 (1) Each prefecture shall formulate a plan for promoting measures for thewelfare and management of animals in the area of said prefecture (hereinafterreferred to as the "animal welfare and management promotion plan") in conformity
with the basic guidelines.
(2) The animal welfare and management promotion plan shall provide for thefollowing matters:(i) the basic policy on measures that should be implemented with regard to thewelfare and management of animals;(ii) matters concerning measures for achieving the proper care and keeping ofanimals;(iii) matters concerning measures for achieving the proper care and keeping ofanimals at the time of a disaster; and(v) matters concerning the establishment of a necessary framework for
implementing measures for the welfare and management of animals (including
securing the cooperation of such entities as the national government, relevant local
governments and private bodies).
(3) In the animal welfare and management promotion plan, a prefecture shall, in
addition to the matters set forth in the items of the preceding paragraph, endeavor
to provide for matters concerning dissemination and awareness raising with regard
to the welfare and management of animals and other necessary matters concerning
the promotion of measures for the welfare and management of animals.
(4) A prefecture shall, when it intends to formulate or change the animal welfare andmanagement promotion plan, hear the opinions of the relevant municipalities inadvance.
(5) A prefecture shall, when it has formulated or changed the animal welfare andmanagement promotion plan, endeavor to make it public without delay.
Chapter III Proper Treatment of Animals
Section 1 General Provisions(Responsibilities, etc. of Owners and Possessors of Animals)
Article 7 (1) With sufficient awareness of his/her responsibilities for the welfare andmanagement of animals as an owner or possessor of an animal, which is a living
being, the owner or possessor of an animal shall endeavor to maintain the healthand safety of the animal by caring for and keeping said animal in a proper manneraccording to such aspects as the kind and the habit of the animal, and shall alsoendeavor to ensure that the animal does not cause harm to the life, body or propertyof humans, impediments in preserving the living environment, or trouble to humans.
(2) The owner or possessor of an animal shall endeavor to acquire correct
information regarding infectious diseases borne by the type of animal he/she owns or3

Provisional translation
possesses and to pay necessary attention to prevent them.
(3) The owner or possessor of an animal shall endeavor to take necessary measuresfor preventing the animal he/she owns or possesses from running away.
(4) The owner of an animal shall endeavor to care for the animal he/she owns
through its lifetime (hereinafter referred to as "lifetime care") as much as possible,
within the extent that does not impede the attainment of the purpose of the care andkeeping of the animal.
(5) The owner of an animal shall endeavor to take appropriate measures concerning
breeding so as to prevent the animal he/she owns from breeding freely and making it
difficult to provide proper care.
(6) The owner of an animal shall endeavor to take the measures specified by the
Minister of the Environment for clarifying that the owned animal is under his/herownership.
(7) The Minister of the Environment may, after consultation with the heads of therelevant administrative organs, formulate standards to be complied with regarding
the care and keeping of animals.
(Responsibilities of Animal Dealers)
Article 8 (1) A person who sells animals in the course of trade shall provide to apurchaser of an animal pertaining to the sale any necessary explanations regarding
the proper methods for caring for and keeping said animal according to such aspects
as the kind, the habit, and the purpose of use of the animal.
(2) A person who sells animals in the course of trade shall endeavor to provide theexplanation set forth in the preceding paragraph by the method and to the extent
necessary for achieving the understanding of the purchaser, in light of thepurchaser's knowledge and experience of the care and keeping of the animal to bepurchased.
(Measures by Local Governments)
Article 9 A local government may, pursuant to the provisions of ordinance, provide
guidance to owners and possessors of animals, require notification pertaining to thecare and keeping of a large number of animals, and take any other necessary
measures concerning the care and keeping of animals, so as to maintain the healthand safety of animals and to ensure that animals do not cause trouble to humans.
Section 2 Type I Animal Handling Business(Registration of Type I Animal Handling Business)
Article 10 (1) A person who intends to engage in a business that handles animals(such animals shall be limited to mammals, birds, and reptiles, and shall exclude
those pertaining to livestock farming and those being cared for or kept in order to beprovided for use in testing and research, use in manufacturing biological4

Provisional translation
preparations, or for other uses specified by Cabinet Order; hereinafter the same
shall apply in this Section through Section 4) (such business means selling[including acting as an intermediary or agent therefor; the same shall apply in thefollowing paragraph, Article 12, paragraph (1), item (vi), and Article 21-4], keeping,lending, training, exhibiting [including the provision of opportunities for contact
with animals; the same shall apply in the following paragraph and Article 24-2] orother handling specified by Cabinet Order with regard to animals in the course of
trade; hereinafter referred to as the "animal handling business" in this Section and
Article 46, item (i)) shall receive registration from the prefectural governor having
jurisdiction over the location of the place of business where the person intends toengage in said business (in the case of a designated city set forth in Article 252-19,
paragraph (1) of the Local Autonomy Act [Act No. 67 of 1947] [hereinafter referred toas the "designated city"], the mayor of said designated city; hereinafter the same
shall apply in this Section through Section 5 [excluding Article 25, paragraph (4)]).
(2) A person who intends to receive the registration set forth in the preceding
paragraph shall submit to the prefectural governor a written application containing
the following matters and attach the documents specified by Ordinance of the
Ministry of the Environment:(i) the name and address of the individual or corporation filing the application and,in the case of a corporation, the name of the representative person;(ii) the name and location of the place(s) of business;(iii) the name of the person responsible for animal handling (which means the personprescribed in Article 22, paragraph (1)) assigned to each place of business;(iv) the category (which means the distinction between selling, keeping, lending,training, exhibiting or other handling specified by Cabinet Order; hereinafter thesame shall apply in this item) of the type I animal handling business that theapplicant intends to engage in and the contents of business and the implementation
method for each of such category;(v) the main kinds and the number of animals to be handled;(vi) if a facility for the care and keeping of animals (hereinafter referred to as the"animal facility" in this Section and the following Section) has been established, thefollowing matters:(a) the location of the animal facility;(b) the structure and size of the animal facility; and(c) the method for managing the animal facility; and(vii) other matters specified by Ordinance of the Ministry of the Environment.
(3) When a person who applies for the registration set forth in paragraph (1) intends
to engage in a business of selling dogs, cats, etc. (which means a business of sellingdogs, cats, etc. [which means dogs, cats, or other animals specified by Ordinance ofthe Ministry of the Environment; the same shall apply hereinafter] in the course of
trade; the same shall apply hereinafter) he/she shall state the following matters in5

Provisional translation
the written application set forth in the preceding paragraph, in addition to thematters set forth in the items of said paragraph:(i) whether or not the person will conduct breeding of the dogs, cats, etc. to beprovided for sale; and(ii) a plan concerning establishment of a framework for maintaining the health andsafety of young dogs, cats, etc. to be provided for sale (in the case of also conducting
breeding, young dogs, cats, etc., and dogs, cats, etc. to be provided for breeding orcared for in order to be provided for breeding; the same shall apply in Article 12,
paragraph (1)), handling of dogs, cats, etc. which became difficult to be provided for
sale, and other matters specified by Ordinance of the Ministry of the Environment(hereinafter referred to as a "plan for the health and safety of dogs, cats, etc.").
(Implementation of Registration)
Article 11 (1) A prefectural governor shall, when an application for registration
under paragraph (2) of the preceding Article has been filed, register the matters set
forth in paragraph (2), items (i) through (iii) and item (v) of the preceding Article aswell as the date of registration and the registration number in the type I animal
handling business operator registry, except in the case of refusing the registration
pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1) of the following Article.
(2) A prefectural governor shall, when he/she has made the registration under thepreceding paragraph, notify the applicant to that effect without delay.
(Refusal of Registration)
Article 12 (1) A prefectural governor shall refuse registration when the person who
intends to receive the registration set forth in Article 10, paragraph (1) falls under
any of the following items, when the matters set forth in paragraph (2), item (iv) of
the same Article pertaining to the application for registration under the same
paragraph are found not to conform to the standards specified by Ordinance of the
Ministry of the Environment as being those necessary for maintaining the healthand safety of animals and securing other proper handling of animals, when thematters set forth in item (vi), (b) and (c) of the same paragraph pertaining to theapplication for registration under the same paragraph are found not to conform to
the standards on the structure, size and management of animal facilities specified by
Ordinance of the Ministry of the Environment, or in the case where the person
intends to engage in a business of selling dogs, cats, etc., when the plan for thehealth and safety of dogs, cats, etc. is found not to conform to the standards specified
by Ordinance of the Ministry of the Environment as those appropriate for securing
the health and safety of young dogs, cats, etc. and for securing the lifetime care ofdogs, cats, etc., or when the written application or the attached documents containany false statement with regard to an important matter or lack the statement of animportant fact:
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Provisional translation(i) an adult ward or a person under curatorship, or a bankrupt who has not had
his/her rights restored;(ii) a person whose registration has been rescinded pursuant to Article 19,
paragraph (1) where two years have yet to elapse since the day of such disposition;(iii) in the case of a person who has received the registration set forth in Article 10,paragraph (1) (hereinafter referred to as an "type I animal handling business
operator") and is a corporation who has had the registration rescinded pursuant to
the provisions of Article 19, paragraph (1), a person who was an officer of said type I
animal handling business operator within 30 days prior to the day of said disposition
where two years have yet to elapse since the day of said disposition;(iv) a person who has been ordered to suspend his/her business pursuant to theprovisions of Article 19, paragraph (1) where the period of said suspension has yet toelapse;(v) a person who has been sentenced to a fine or a severer punishment pursuant to
the provisions of this Act, the provisions of Article 10, item (ii) of the Rendering
Plant Control Act (Act No. 140 of 1948) (limited to the portion pertaining to Article 7
of said Act as applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to Article 9, paragraph (5) of saidAct) or Article 10, item (iii) of said Act, or the provisions of Article 27, item (i) or (ii)of the Rabies Prevention Act (Act No. 247 of 1950) where two years have yet toelapse since the day on which execution of the sentence has been completed or thesentence has become no longer applicable;(vi) in the case where a person intends to sell animals in the course of trade, a person
who has been sentenced to a fine or a severer punishment pursuant to the provisionsof Article 57-2 of the Act on Conservation of Endangered Species of Wild Fauna andFlora (Act No. 75 of 1992) (limited to the portion pertaining to Article 12, paragraph(1) of said Act [limited to the portion pertaining to transfer or delivery of individualorganisms of animals categorized under individual organisms, etc. of endangered
species of wild fauna and flora]; the same shall apply hereinafter), Article 58, item (i)of said Act (limited to the portion pertaining to Article 18 of said Act [limited to the
portion pertaining to individual organisms of animals categorized under individualorganisms, etc. of endangered species of wild fauna and flora]; the same shall apply
hereinafter), Article 58, item (ii) of said Act (limited to the portion pertaining to
Article 17 of said Act [limited to the portion pertaining to individual organisms ofanimals categorized under individual organisms, etc. of endangered species of wild
fauna and flora]; the same shall apply hereinafter), Article 63, item (v) of said Act(limited to the portion pertaining to Article 21, paragraph (1) of said Act [limited tothe portion pertaining to individual organisms of animals categorized underindividual organisms, etc. of internationally endangered species of wild fauna andflora] or paragraph (2) of said Article [limited to the portion pertaining to transfer ordelivery of individual organisms of animals categorized under individual organisms,
etc. of internationally endangered species of wild fauna and flora]; the same shall7

Provisional translation
apply hereinafter), or Article 65, paragraph (1) of said Act (limited to the portion
pertaining to Article 57-2, Article 58, item (i) or (ii), or Article 63, item (v) of said
Act), the provisions of Article 84, paragraph (1), item (v) of the Wildlife Protection
and Proper Hunting Act (Act No. 88 of 2002) (limited to the portion pertaining to
Article 20, paragraph (1) of said Act [limited to the portion pertaining to transfer ordelivery], Article 23 of said Act [excluding the portion pertaining to processed
products or eggs], Article 26, paragraph (6) of said Act [limited to the portion
pertaining to transfer or delivery, among transfer, etc.], or Article 27 of said Act[limited to the portion pertaining to transfer or delivery]; the same shall apply
hereinafter), Article 86, item (i) of said Act (limited to the portion pertaining to
Article 24, paragraph (7) of said Act; the same shall apply hereinafter), or Article 88
of said Act (limited to the portion pertaining to Article 84, paragraph (1), item (5) or
Article 86, item (i) of said Act), or the provisions of Article 32, item (i) of the Invasive
Alien Species Act (Act No. 78 of 2004) (limited to the portion pertaining to animals
that are categorized under invasive alien species; the same shall apply hereinafter)or item (v) of said Article (limited to the portion pertaining to animals that are
categorized under invasive alien species; the same shall apply hereinafter), Article
33, item (i) of said Act (limited to the portion pertaining to Article 8 of said Act[limited to the portion pertaining to transfer or delivery of animals that are
categorized under invasive alien species]; the same shall apply hereinafter), or
Article 36 of the Act (the portion pertaining to Article 32, item (i) or (v) or Article 33,
item (i) of said Act), where two years have yet to elapse since the day on which
execution of the sentence has been completed or the sentence has become no longer
applicable; or(vii) a corporation where any of its officers falls under any of the preceding items.
(2) A prefectural governor shall, when he/she has refused registration pursuant to
the provisions of the preceding paragraph, notify the applicant to that effect byindicating the reason therefor without delay.
(Renewal of Registration)
Article 13 (1) The registration set forth in Article 10, paragraph (1) shall, unless it isrenewed every five years, lose its effect by the expiration of the period thereof.
(2) The provisions of Article 10, paragraphs (2) and (3) and the preceding two
Articles shall apply mutatis mutandis to the renewal set forth in the preceding
paragraph.
(3) In the case where an application for the renewal set forth in paragraph (1) has
been filed, if no disposition is given for said application by the date of expiration of
the period set forth in the same paragraph (hereinafter referred to as the "effective
period of registration" in this Article), the former registration shall remain effective
even after the expiration of the effective period of registration, until said dispositionis given.
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Provisional translation(Notification of Changes)
Article 14 (1) When a type I animal handling business operator intends to change
any of the matters set forth in Article 10, paragraph (2), item (iv) or paragraph (3),item (i) of said Article (such change shall exclude a minor change specified by
Ordinance of the Ministry of the Environment), establish an animal facility, or
engage in a business of selling dogs, cats, etc., he/she shall notify the prefectural
governor, in advance, pursuant to the provisions of Ordinance of the Ministry of theEnvironment.
(2) A type I animal handling business operator shall, when there has been any minorchange specified by Ordinance of the Ministry of the Environment referred to in thepreceding paragraph or when there has been any change to the matters set forth in
the items (excluding item (iv)) of Article 10, paragraph (2) or paragraph (3), item (ii)of said Article (such change shall exclude a minor change specified by Ordinance ofthe Ministry of the Environment), notify the prefectural governor to that effect andattach the documents specified by Ordinance of the Ministry of the Environment,
within 30 days from such day, except in the case referred to in the preceding
paragraph.
(3) When a person who engages in a business of selling dogs, cats, etc. after receiving
the registration set forth in Article 10, paragraph (1) (hereinafter referred to as a"business operator selling dogs, cats, etc.") has discontinued to engage in thebusiness of selling dogs, cats, etc., he/she shall notify the prefectural governor to that
effect and attach the documents specified by Ordinance of the Ministry of theEnvironment, within 30 days from such day, except in the case prescribed in Article
16, paragraph (1).
(4) The provisions of Articles 11 and 12 shall apply mutatis mutandis to the casewhere a notification under the preceding three paragraphs has been given.
(Inspection of the Type I Animal Handling Business Operator Registry)
Article 15 A prefectural governor shall provide the type I animal handling business
operator registry for inspection by the general public.
(Notification of Discontinuance of Business, etc.)
Article 16 (1) In the case where a type I animal handling business operator has
fallen under any of the following items, the person prescribed in said item shallnotify the prefectural governor to that effect within 30 days from such day:(i) in the case of death—the heir;(ii) in the case of extinction of the corporation due to a merger—the person who had
been the officer representing said corporation;(iii) in the case of dissolution of the corporation due to a decision of commencement ofbankruptcy proceedings—the bankruptcy trustee;
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Provisional translation(iv) in the case of dissolution of the corporation by a reason other than a decision ofcommencement of bankruptcy proceedings—the liquidator; and(v) in the case of discontinuance of the type I animal handling business pertaining to
the registration—the individual who had been the type I animal handling business
operator or the officer representing the corporation that had been the type I animal
handling business operator.
(2) When a type I animal handling business operator has fallen under any of theitems in the preceding paragraph, the registration of the type I animal handlingbusiness operator shall lose its effect.
(Cancellation of Registration)
Article 17 A prefectural governor shall, when registration has lost its effect pursuant
to the provisions of Article 13, paragraph (1) or paragraph (2) of the preceding
Article or when he/she has rescinded the registration pursuant to the provisions ofArticle 19, paragraph (1), cancel the registration of said type I animal handlingbusiness operator.
(Posting of a Sign)
Article 18 A type I animal handling business operator shall, pursuant to theprovisions of Ordinance of the Ministry of the Environment, post a sign stating thename of the individual or corporation, registration number and any other mattersspecified by Ordinance of the Ministry of the Environment in a place that is easily
visible to the general public, in each place of business.
(Rescission, etc. of Registration)
Article 19 (1) A prefectural governor may, when a type I animal handling business
operator falls under any of the following items, rescind the registration or order thesuspension of all or part of the business by specifying a period no longer than six
months:(i) when the person has received registration as a type I animal handling business
operator by dishonest means;(ii) when the contents of the business or implementation method carried out by the
person no longer conforms to the standards specified by Ordinance of the Ministry of
the Environment as being those necessary for maintaining the health and safety ofanimals and securing any other proper handling of animals as prescribed in Article
12, paragraph (1);(iii) when, in the case where the person has established an animal facility, thestructure, size and management method for the animal facility of said person nolonger conforms to the standards on the structure, size and management of animal
facilities prescribed in Article 12, paragraph (1);(iv) when, in the case where the person engages in a business of selling dogs, cats,
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etc., the plan for the health and safety of dogs, cats, etc. no longer conforms to thestandards specified by Ordinance of the Ministry of the Environment as those
appropriate for securing the health and safety of young dogs, cats, etc. and for
securing the lifetime care of dogs, cats, etc. prescribed in Article 12, paragraph (1);(v) when the person has fallen under any of the provisions of Article 12, paragraph(1), item (i) or (iii) or items (v) through (vii); or(vi) when the person has violated this Act, an order based on this Act or a disposition
based on this Act.
(2) The provisions of Article 12, paragraph (2) apply mutatis mutandis to the casewhere a disposition under the preceding paragraph has been given.
(Delegation to Ordinances of the Ministry of the Environment)
Article 20 In addition to what is provided for in Article 10 to the preceding Article,
any necessary matters concerning the registration of type I animal handlingbusiness operators shall be specified by Ordinances of the Ministry of theEnvironment.
(Compliance with Standards)
Article 21 (1) A type I animal handling business operator shall comply with thestandards specified by Ordinance of the Ministry of the Environment concerning
such matters as the method for the management of the animals handled, in order tomaintain the health and safety of the animals and to prevent the occurrence ofimpediments in preserving the living environment.
(2) A prefecture or a designated city may, when it is found necessary judging fromthe natural and social conditions, formulate standards to be complied with by type I
animal handling business operators in place of the standards set forth in thepreceding paragraph, by ordinance, in order to maintain the health and safety of theanimals and to prevent the occurrence of impediments in preserving the living
environment.
(Prevention of Infectious Diseases)
Article 21-2 A type I animal handling business operator shall endeavor toappropriately implement routine confirmation of the health condition of the animals
handled, provision of medical care by a veterinarian as needed, and any othernecessary measures for preventing the animals handled from acquiring infectious
diseases.
(Transfer, etc. in the Case Where Handling of Animals Becomes Difficult)
Article 21-3 When a type I animal handling business operator discontinues the typeI animal handling business or it otherwise becomes difficult to handle animals in thecourse of trade, he/she shall endeavor to transfer said animals or take any other11

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appropriate measures.
(Method of Providing Information upon Selling, etc.)
Article 21-4 When a type I animal handling business operator who engages in thebusiness of selling dogs, cats, or any other animals specified by Ordinance of the
Ministry of the Environment in the course of trade is to sell said animal, he/she shall,in advance, directly show the present condition of the animal to be sold to the person
who is to purchase said animal (excluding a type I animal handling business
operator) and provide said person face-to-face (in a case specified by Ordinance of the
Ministry of the Environment as a case where face-to-face provision is difficult, it
shall include methods specified by Ordinance of the Ministry of the Environment as
those equivalent to face-to-face provision) with information on the method for caring
for and keeping said animal, the date of birth of said animal, the name of the person
who conducted the breeding pertaining to said animal, and any other mattersspecified by Ordinance of the Ministry of the Environment as necessary information
for the proper care and keeping of said animal, by using a document or anelectromagnetic record (which means a record made in an electronic form, amagnetic form, or any other form not recognizable to human perception, which isused in information processing by computers).
(Person Responsible for Animal Handling)
Article 22 (1) A type I animal handling business operator shall, pursuant to theprovisions of Ordinance of the Ministry of the Environment, appoint a person
responsible for animal handling for each place of business in order to properly
implement the work pertaining to said place of business.
(2) A person responsible for animal handling shall be a person other than one who
falls under the provisions of Article 12, paragraph (1), items (i) through (vi).
(3) A type I animal handling business operator shall, pursuant to the provisions of
Ordinance of the Ministry of the Environment, have persons responsible for animal
handling receive training for persons responsible for animal handling (which means
training on the knowledge and ability necessary for the work of persons responsible
for animal handling that is provided by the prefectural governor).
(Compliance with the Plan for the Health and Safety of Dogs, Cats, etc.)
Article 22-2 A business operator selling dogs, cats, etc. shall conduct business inaccordance with the provisions of the plan for the health and safety of dogs, cats, etc.
(Securing Coordination with Veterinarians, etc.)
Article 22-3 A business operator selling dogs, cats, etc. shall ensure the securing ofappropriate coordination with veterinarians, etc. in order to secure the health andsafety of the dogs, cats, etc. he/she cares for or keeps.
12Provisional translation(Securing of Lifetime Care)
Article 22-4 Even where dogs, cats, etc. become difficult to be provided for sale, abusiness operator selling dogs, cats, etc. shall continue to ensure the securing oflifetime care for said dogs, cats, etc., except in unavoidable cases.
(Restriction on the Selling, etc. of Young Dogs or Cats)
Article 22-5 A business operator selling dogs, cats, etc. (limited to a person who
conducts breeding of dogs or cats to be provided for sale) shall not deliver or exhibit adog or a cat he/she has bred for which fifty six days have yet to elapse since its birth,for sale or to be provided for sale.
(Keeping of Books Concerning Individual Organisms of Dogs, Cats, etc.)
Article 22-6 (1) A business operator selling dogs, cats, etc. shall, pursuant to theprovisions of Ordinance of the Ministry of the Environment, keep books, stating thedate of acquiring ownership, the date of sale or delivery, the date of death, and anyother matters specified by Ordinance of the Ministry of the Environment for eachindividual organism of the dogs, cats, etc. he/she owns, and preserve those books.
(2) A business operator selling dogs, cats, etc. shall, pursuant to the provisions of
Ordinance of the Ministry of the Environment, notify the prefectural governor of thefollowing matters for each period specified by Ordinance of the Ministry of theEnvironment:(i) the number of dogs, cats, etc. owned as of the date of commencement of said periodby kind;(ii) the number of dogs, cats, etc. newly owned during said period;(iii) the number of dogs, cats, etc. that were sold or delivered or that died during said
period by category of such status and by kind;(iv) the number of dogs, cats, etc. owned as of the date of termination of said periodby kind; and(v) other matters specified by Ordinance of the Ministry of the Environment.
(3) When it is found necessary in light of the status of occurrence of deaths of dogs,
cats, etc. owned by a business operator selling dogs, cats, etc., the prefectural
governor may, pursuant to the provisions of Ordinance of the Ministry of theEnvironment, designate a period, and order said business operator selling dogs, cats,etc. that when a dog, cat, etc. he/she owns dies during said designated period, he/sheshould have the dead dog, cat, etc. undergo postmortem examination by aveterinarian unless it dies while receiving medical care from a veterinarian, andthat he/she should submit postmortem examination reports or death certificates for
all dogs, cats, etc. that died during said designated period, within 30 days from thedate of expiration of said designated period.
(Recommendations and Orders)13Provisional translation
Article 23 (1) A prefectural governor may, when he/she finds that a type I animal
handling business operator fails to comply with the standards set forth in Article 21,
paragraph (1) or (2), recommend said person to improve such matters as the method
for the management of the animals handled, by specifying a time limit.
(2) A prefectural governor may, when he/she finds that a type I animal handlingbusiness operator fails to comply with the provisions of Article 21-4 or Article 22,paragraph (3), or finds that a business operator selling dogs, cats, etc. fails to comply
with the provisions of Article 22-5, recommend said person to take the necessary
measures, by specifying a time limit.
(3) A prefectural governor may, when a person who has received a recommendation
under the preceding two paragraphs fails to follow the recommendation, order said
person to take measures pertaining to said recommendation, by specifying a time
limit.
(Reports and Inspections)
Article 24 (1) A prefectural governor may, within the limit necessary for
implementing the provisions of Articles 10 through 19 and Article 21 through thepreceding Article, request a type I animal handling business operator to makereports on the status of animal facilities, the method for the management of theanimals handled and other necessary matters or have prefectural officials enter theplace of business of said type I animal handling business operator or other relevant
places and inspect the animal facilities or other property.
(2) An official who enters and inspects pursuant to the provisions of the preceding
paragraph shall carry a certificate for identification and produce it to the persons
concerned.
(3) The authority of entry and inspection under paragraph (1) shall not be construed
as that approved for the purpose of criminal investigation.
Section 3 Type II Animal Handling Business(Notification of Type II Animal Handling Business)
Article 24-2 A person who intends to establish an animal facility (limited to thatspecified by Ordinance of the Ministry of the Environment; hereinafter the same
shall apply in this Section) and engage in a business that handles animals (whichmeans transferring, keeping, lending, training, exhibiting or other handlingspecified by the Cabinet Order set forth in Article 10, paragraph (1) with regard toanimals [hereinafter referred to as "any other handling" in this Article] in the courseof trade; hereinafter referred to as "type II animal handling business in this Article)(excluding a person who should receive the registration set forth in Article 10,paragraph (1) and a person who intends to handle a number of animals that does notreach the number specified by Ordinance of the Ministry of the Environment) shall,pursuant to the provisions of Ordinance of the Ministry of the Environment, notify
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the prefectural governor of the following matters and attach the documents specified
by Ordinance of the Ministry of the Environment, for each place where an animal
facility is to be established, except in the case where the prefecture, etc. prescribedin Article 35, paragraph (1) handles dogs or cats based on the provisions of said
Article and in other cases specified by Ordinance of the Ministry of the Environment:(i) the name and address of the individual or corporation making the notification and,in the case of a corporation, the name of the representative person;(ii) the location of the animal facility;(iii) the category (which means the distinction between transferring, keeping,lending, training, exhibiting or any other handling; hereinafter the same shall apply
in this item) of the type II animal handling business that the notifier intends toengage in and the contents of business and the implementation method for each ofsuch category;(iv) the main kinds and the number of animals to be handled;(v) the structure and size of the animal facility;(vi) the method for managing the animal facility; and(vii) other matters specified by Ordinance of the Ministry of the Environment.
(Notification of Change)
Article 24-3 (1) When a person who has made notification under the preceding
Article (hereinafter referred to as a "type II animal handling business operator")
intends to change any of the matters set forth in items (iii) through (vii) of said
Article, he/she shall notify the prefectural governor to that effect, pursuant to theprovisions of Ordinance of the Ministry of the Environment; provided, however, that
this shall not apply when said change is a minor change specified by Ordinance ofthe Ministry of the Environment.
(2) A type II animal handling business operator shall, when there has been any
change to the matters set forth in item (i) or (ii) of the preceding Article or when
he/she has discontinued to use the animal facility pertaining to the notification,
notify the prefectural governor to that effect and attach the documents specified by
Ordinance of the Ministry of the Environment, within 30 days from such day.
(Provisions Applied Mutatis Mutandis)
Article 24-4 The provisions of Article 16, paragraph (1) (excluding the portion
pertaining to item (v)), Article 20, Article 21, Article 23 (excluding paragraph (2)),
and Article 24 shall apply mutatis mutandis to type II animal handing business
operators. In this case, the phrase "Article 10 to the preceding Article" in Article 20
shall be deemed to be replaced with "Articles 24-2, 24-3, and Article 16, paragraph(1) (excluding the portion pertaining to item (v)) as applied mutatis mutandis
pursuant to 24-4," the term "registration" in said Article shall be deemed to be
replaced with "notification," the phrase "Article 21, paragraph (1) or (2)" in Article
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23, paragraph (1) shall be deemed to be replaced with "Article 21, paragraph (1) or(2) as applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to Article 24," the phrase "the preceding
two paragraphs" in paragraph (3) of said Article shall be deemed to be replaced with"paragraph (1)," the phrase "Articles 10 through 19 and Article 21 through thepreceding Article" in Article 24, paragraph (1) shall be deemed to be replaced with
"Article 24-2, Article 24-3, and Article 16, paragraph (1) (excluding the portion
pertaining to item (v)), Article 21, and Article 23 (excluding paragraph (2)) asapplied mutatis mutandis pursuant to Article 24-4," the term "place of business" insaid paragraph shall be deemed to be replaced with "place where an animal facility
is to be established," and any other necessary technical replacement of terms shallbe specified by Cabinet Order.
Section 4 Measures Pertaining to Preservation of the Living Environment, etc.
Article 25 (1) When a prefectural governor finds that there is a situation categorized
by Ordinance of the Ministry of the Environment as one where the surrounding
living environment has been damaged because of the occurrence of noise or bad smell,scattering of animal hair, emergence of a large number of insects, or any othercircumstances resulting from the care and keeping of a large number of animals,
he/she may recommend the person causing said situation to take the necessary
measures for removing such situation, by specifying a time limit.
(2) In the case where a person who has received a recommendation under thepreceding paragraph fails to take the measures pertaining to the recommendation,
the prefectural governor may, if he/she finds it particularly necessary, order said
person to take the measures pertaining to the recommendation, by specifying a time
limit.
(3) When a prefectural governor finds that there is a situation categorized by
Ordinance of the Ministry of the Environment as one where animals are likely to
become subject to cruelty, such as debilitation caused by improper care or the
keeping of a large number of animals, he/she may order or recommend the person
causing said situation to take the necessary measures for remedying such situation,by specifying a time limit.
(4) A prefectural governor may request the necessary cooperation from the mayors ofmunicipalities (including special wards) (such mayors shall exclude the mayors ofdesignated cities) with regard to the recommendation or order under the preceding
three paragraphs.
Section 5 Measures to Prevent Animals from Causing Infringement on the Life, etc.
of Humans(Permission for the Care or Keeping of Specified Animals)
Article 26 (1) A person who intends to care for or keep an animal categorized by
Cabinet Order as one that carries a risk of causing harm to the life, body or property
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Provisional translationof humans (hereinafter referred to as a "specified animal") shall, pursuant to theprovisions of Ordinance of the Ministry of the Environment, receive the permissionof the prefectural governor having jurisdiction over the location of the facility for thecare and keeping of the specified animal (hereinafter referred to as the "specified
animal facility" in this Section) for each kind of specified animal; provided, however,that this shall not apply to the case where a veterinarian cares for or keeps a
specified animal in a medical facility (which means a medical facility prescribed in
Article 2, paragraph (2) of the Veterinary Practice Act [Act No. 46 of 1992]) for the
purpose of medical care.
(2) A person who intends to receive the permission set forth in the preceding
paragraph shall, pursuant to the provisions of Ordinance of the Ministry of theEnvironment, submit to the prefectural governor a written application containing
the following matters and attach the documents specified by Ordinance of the
Ministry of the Environment:(i) the name and address of the individual or corporation filing the application and,in the case of a corporation, the name of the representative person;(ii) the kind and the number of the specified animals;(iii) the purpose of the care or keeping;(iv) the location of the specified animal facility;(v) the structure and size of the specified animal facility;(vi) the method for caring for or keeping the specified animals;(vii) matters concerning the measure to be taken when it becomes difficult to care foror keep the specified animals; and(viii) other matters specified by Ordinance of the Ministry of the Environment.
(Criteria for Permission)
Article 27 (1) A prefectural governor shall not grant the permission set forth inparagraph (1) of the preceding Article unless he/she finds that the application for
permission set forth in the same paragraph conforms to the following items:(i) the matters set forth in paragraph (2), items (v) through (vii) of the preceding
Article pertaining to said application conform to the standards concerning thestructure and size of the specified animal facilities, the method for caring for andkeeping the specified animals, and the measure to be taken when it becomes difficult
to care for or keep the specified animals as specified by the Ordinance of the
Ministry of the Environment according to the characteristics of the specified
animals; and(ii) the applicant does not fall under any of the following categories:(a) a person who has been sentenced to a fine or a severer punishment for violation ofthis Act or a disposition based on this Act where two years have yet to elapse since
the day on which execution of the sentence has been completed or the sentence has
become no longer applicable;
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Provisional translation(b) a person whose permission has been rescinded pursuant to Article 29 where twoyears have yet to elapse since the day of such disposition; or(c) a corporation where any of its officers fall under either (a) or (b).
(2) In the case of granting the permission set forth in paragraph (1) of the preceding
Article, the prefectural governor may, when he/she finds it necessary for preventing
specified animals from causing an infringement on the life, body or property ofhumans, attach conditions to said permission within the limit of such necessity.
(Permission, etc. for Changes)
Article 28 (1) When a person who has received a permission set forth in Article 26,
paragraph (1) (including the permission under this paragraph) (such person shall bereferred to a "specified animal caretaker") intends to change any of the matters set
forth in paragraph (2), item (ii) or items (iv) through (vii) of the same Article, he/sheshall receive the permission of the prefectural governor pursuant to the provisions of
Ordinance of the Ministry of the Environment; provided, however, that this shall not
apply when said change is a minor change specified by Ordinance of the Ministry of
the Environment.
(2) The provisions of the preceding Article shall apply mutatis mutandis to thepermission set forth in the preceding paragraph.
(3) A specified animal caretaker shall, when there has been a minor change specified
by Ordinance of the Ministry of the Environment as set forth in the proviso toparagraph (1) or when there has been any change to the matters set forth in Article
26, paragraph (2), item (i) or (iii) or other matters specified by Ordinance of the
Ministry of the Environment, notify the prefectural governor to that effect within 30
days from such day.
(Rescission of Permission)
Article 29 A prefectural governor may, when a specified animal caretaker falls under
any of the following items, rescind the permission:(i) when the person has received permission to be a specified animal caretaker bydishonest means;(ii) when the structure or size of the specified animal facility or the method for caring
or keeping the specified animals of said person no longer conforms to the standards
prescribed in Article 27, paragraph (1), item (i);(iii) when the person has fallen under Article 27, paragraph (1), item (ii), (c); or(iv) when the person has violated this Act, an order based on this Act or a disposition
based on this Act.
(Ordinances of the Ministry of the Environment)
Article 30 In addition to what is provided for in Article 26 through the preceding
Article, any necessary matters concerning permission for the care and keeping of18

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specified animals shall be specified by Ordinances of the Ministry of theEnvironment.
(Method for Caring For or Keeping Animals)
Article 31 When a specified animal caretaker engages in caring or keeping
pertaining to the permission, he/she shall periodically inspect the specified animal
facility pertaining to said specified animal, clarify that he/she has received
permission with regard to said specified animal, and conform to any other methods
specified by Ordinance of the Ministry of the Environment.
(Order for Specified animal caretaker to Take Measures)
Article 32 In the case where a specified animal caretaker has violated the provisionsof the preceding Article or has violated the conditions attached pursuant to theprovisions of Article 27, paragraph (2) (including the case where it is applied mutatis
mutandis pursuant to Article 28, paragraph (2)), the prefectural governor may, if
he/she finds it necessary for preventing specified animals from causing an
infringement on the life, body or property of humans, order said person to improvethe method for caring for or keeping said specified animals or take other necessary
measures.
(Reports and Inspections)
Article 33 (1) A prefectural governor may, within the limit necessary for
implementing the provisions of Articles 26 through 29 inclusive and the preceding
two Articles, request a specified animal caretaker to make reports on the status of
specified animal facilities, the method for the management of the specified animals
handled and other necessary matters or have prefectural officials enter the places
where the specified animal facilities of said specified animal caretaker are
established or other relevant places and inspect the specified animal facilities orother properties.
(2) The provisions of Article 24, paragraphs (2) and (3) shall apply mutatis mutandis
to entry and inspection under the preceding paragraph.
Section 6 Officials in Charge of Animal Welfare
Article 34 (1) A local government may, pursuant to the provisions of ordinance,
establish officials with such a title as animal welfare and management official(referred to as "officials in charge of animal welfare" in the following paragraph andArticle 41-4) to perform the entry and inspection prescribed in Article 24, paragraph(1) (including the cases where applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to Article 24-4 byreplacing terms) or paragraph (1) of the preceding Article and other work related to
the welfare and management of animals.
(2) An official in charge of animal welfare shall be an official of said local government
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who has expert knowledge on the proper care and keeping of animals, such as aveterinarian.
Chapter IV Measures Taken by Prefectures, etc.
(Taking Custody of Dogs and Cats)
Article 35 (1) A prefecture, etc. (which means a prefecture, designated city, core city
set forth in Article 252-22, paragraph (1) of the Local Autonomy Act [hereinafterreferred to as a "core city"] or any other city specified by Cabinet Order [including a
special ward; the same shall apply hereinafter]) shall take custody of a dog or cat
when so requested by its owner; provided, however, that the prefecture, etc. may
refuse to take custody of the dog or cat in the case where such request is made by abusiness operator selling dogs, cats, etc. or in any other cases specified by Ordinanceof the Ministry of the Environment as cases where no reasonable ground is found torequest the taking of custody in light of the purpose of the provisions of Article 7,paragraph (4).
(2) In the case where a prefecture, etc. takes custody of a dog or cat pursuant to theprovisions of the main clause of the preceding paragraph, the prefectural governor,
etc. (which means the head of the prefecture, etc.; the same shall apply hereinafter)
may designate the place where custody of the dog or cat is to be taken.
(3) The provisions of the main clause of paragraph (1) and the preceding paragraphshall apply mutatis mutandis to the case where a prefecture, etc. is requested to takecustody of a dog or cat of which the owner is unknown by its finder or any otherperson.
(4) With regard to dogs or cats of which custody is taken pursuant to the provisionsof the main clause of paragraph (1) (including cases where applied mutatis mutandis
pursuant to the preceding paragraph; the same shall apply in paragraphs (7) and(8)), a prefectural governor, etc. shall, with the aim to eliminate slaughter, endeavor
to find the owners for those which are presumed to have owners and to return themto their owners, and shall endeavor to invite people who wish to provide care forthose that are presumed to have no owners, those for which the taking of custody
was requested by their owners, and those of which owners cannot be found, andtransfer them to such people.
(5) A prefectural governor may seek the necessary cooperation from the mayor of amunicipality (including a special ward) (such mayor shall exclude the mayor of adesignated city, core city or a city specified by Cabinet Order set forth in paragraph(1)) concerning custody of a dog or cat under the main clause of paragraph (1).
(6) A prefectural governor, etc. may commission custody or transfer of dogs and cats
to an organization established for the purpose of animal welfare.
(7) The Minister of the Environment may, after consultation with the heads of therelevant administrative organs, prescribe necessary matters with regard to themeasures to be taken in the case of taking custody pursuant to the provisions of the20

Provisional translation
main clause of paragraph (1).
(8) The national government may, within the scope of the budget, grant a subsidy toa prefecture, etc. for a part of the costs related to custody set forth in the main clauseof paragraph (1), pursuant to the provisions of Cabinet Order.
(Measures for Notification by Finders of Injured Animals, etc.)
Article 36 (1) A person who has found an animal such as a dog or a cat that has adisease or is injured or the carcass of an animal such as a dog or a cat on a road, in apark, in a plaza, or in any other public place shall endeavor to notify promptly theowner when the owner is known or the prefectural governor, etc. when the owner is
unknown.
(2) A prefecture, etc. shall, when a notification under the preceding paragraph has
been given, take away said animal or animal carcass.
(3) The provisions of paragraph (7) of the preceding Article shall apply mutatis
mutandis to the case of taking away an animal pursuant to the provisions of thepreceding paragraph.
(Restriction on the Breeding of Dogs and Cats)
Article 37 (1) The owner of a dog or a cat shall, when he/she finds that there is a riskthat the animal would breed freely and that it would be difficult to give the offspring
an opportunity to receive proper care, endeavor to have surgery carried out todisable breeding or take any other measures in order to prevent breeding.
(2) A prefecture, etc. shall, upon such cases as when custody of a dog or a cat is taken
under the main clause of Article 35, paragraph (1), endeavor to provide thenecessary guidance and advice so that the measures prescribed in the preceding
paragraph are taken appropriately.
(Animal Welfare Promoters)
Article 38 (1) Prefectural governors, etc. may appoint animal welfare promoters fromamong persons who have enthusiasm and knowledge regarding the promotion of thewelfare of such animals as dogs and cats in the region.
(2) An animal welfare promoter shall perform the following activities:(i) deepen the understanding of residents regarding the importance of the welfare
and proper care of such animals as dogs and cats;(ii) give residents, upon request, the necessary advice on surgery for disabling
breeding and any other measures for preventing the free breeding of such animals as
dogs and cats;(iii) provide such persons as the owners of such animals as dogs and cats, uponrequest, adoption services or any other necessary assistance for giving these animals
an opportunity to receive proper care;(iv) provide cooperation necessary for the measures conducted by the national
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government or prefectures, etc. to promote the welfare and proper care of suchanimals as dogs and cats; and(v) provide cooperation necessary for the measures concerning evacuation, protection,etc. of such animals as dogs and cats conducted by the national government orprefectures, etc. at the time of a disaster.
(Council)
Article 39 Prefectures, etc., general incorporated associations or generalincorporated foundations established for the purpose of animal welfare, veterinarianorganizations and any other organizations working to disseminate and raiseawareness regarding the welfare and proper care of animals may form a council for
promoting the appointment of animal welfare promoters in the prefecture, etc. andconducting the necessary deliberations regarding such matters as support for theactivities of animal welfare promoters.
Chapter V Miscellaneous Provisions(Method to Be Applied in the Case of Destroying Animals)
Article 40 (1) In the case where an animal must be destroyed, a method thatminimizes as much as possible the pain and distress to the animal shall be used.
(2) The Minister of the Environment may, after consultation with the heads of therelevant administrative organs, provide necessary matters with regard to themethod set forth in the preceding paragraph.
(Method to Be Applied, Subsequent Measures, etc. in the Case of Providing Animals
for Scientific Use)
Article 41 (1) When providing animals for use in education, testing and research or
the manufacture of biological preparations, or for any other scientific use,consideration shall be given to the appropriate use of such animals by such means as
using alternative methods to that of the use of animals as much as possible andreducing the number of animals provided for such use as much as possible, within
the extent that the purpose of the scientific use can be attained.
(2) In the case where an animal is provided for a scientific use, a method thatminimizes the pain and distress to the animal as much as possible shall be used,within the limit necessary for such use.
(3) In the case where an animal has fallen into a state from which recovery is
unlikely after being provided for a scientific use, the person who provided the animal
for such scientific use shall immediately dispose of said animal by a method thatminimizes pain and distress as much as possible.
(4) The Minister of the Environment may, after consultation with the heads of therelevant administrative organs, prescribe the standards to be complied withregarding the method set forth in paragraph (2) and the measures set forth in the22

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preceding paragraph.
(Notification by Veterinarians)
Article 41-2 When a veterinarian, in conducting his/her business, finds the carcass ofan animal that is considered to have been destroyed without reason or finds ananimal that is considered to have been injured or made subject to cruelty without
reason, he/she shall endeavor to notify the prefectural governor and any otherrelevant organs.
(Commendation)
Article 41-3 The Minister of the Environment may commend a person who is foundto have made a particularly notable achievement with regard to the welfare andproper management of animals.
(Provision of Information to Local Public Entities, etc.)
Article 41-4 In order to contribute to the appropriate and smooth implementation of
measures for the welfare and management of animals, the State shall endeavor toprovide information and give technical advice to, and take any other necessary
measures for local public entities with regard to establishment of officials in chargeof animal welfare, implementation of training on the welfare and management ofanimals for officials in charge of animal welfare, strengthening of coordination
between the department of the local public entity in charge of affairs concerning thewelfare and management of animals and the prefectural police, appointment of andimplementation of training that conributes to improving the quality of animal
welfare promoters, and other matters.
(Transitional Measures)
Article 42 In the case of establishing, amending, or abolishing an order based on theprovisions of this Act, required transitional measures (including transitional
measures relating to penal provisions) may be specified by said order, within theextent that is judged to be reasonably necessary in line with the establishment,
amendment, or abolition of the order.
(Hearing of the Opinion of the Central Environment Council)
Article 43 The Minister of the Environment shall, when he/she intends to formulate
the basic guidelines, establish the standards set forth in Article 7, paragraph (7),Article 12, paragraph (1), Article 21, paragraph (1) (including the cases whereapplied mutatis mutandis pursuant to Article 24-4), Article 27, paragraph (1), item(i) or Article 41, paragraph (4), specify the situation set forth in Article 25,
paragraph (1) or (3), or prescribe the matters set forth in Article 35, paragraph (7)(including the case where it is applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to Article 36,
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paragraph (3)) or Article 40, paragraph (2), hear the opinion of the Central
Environment Council. The same shall apply when he/she intends to change orabolish the basic guidelines, standards, situation, or matters.
Chapter VI Penal Provisions
Article 44 (1) A person who has destroyed or injured, without reason, a protectedanimal shall be punished by imprisonment with work for not more than two years ora fine of not more than two million yen.
(2) A person who has, without reason, committed on a protected animal an act of
causing debilitation through discontinuation of feeding and/or watering, exploitationof the animal, or restraint of the animal at a place where it is difficult to maintain its
health and safety, an act of failing to appropriately protect a protected animal which
he/she cares for or keeps and which has a disease or is injured, an act of caring for or
keeping the animal in a facility which he/she owns where excrement is deposited orwhere the carcass of another protected animal is left as it is, or any other cruelty
shall be punished by a fine of not more than one million yen.
(3) A person who has abandoned a protected animal shall be punished by a fine of not
more than one million yen.
(4) The term "protected animal" as used in the preceding three paragraphs shall be
the animals set forth in the following items:(i) cattle, horses, pigs, sheep, goats, dogs, cats, domestic rabbits, chickens, domestic
pigeons, and domestic ducks; and(ii) animals in the possession of persons where such animals are categorized as
mammals, birds or reptiles, other than those set forth in the preceding item.
Article 45 A person who falls under any of the following items shall be punished by
imprisonment with work for not more than six months or a fine of not more than one
million yen:(i) a person who has cared for or kept a specified animal without permission in
violation of the provisions of Article 26, paragraph (1);(ii) a person who has received the permission set forth in Article 26, paragraph (1) bydishonest means; or(iii) a person who has changed any of the matters set forth in Article 26, paragraph(2), item (ii) or items (iv) through (vii) in violation of the provisions of Article 28(1).
Article 46 A person who falls under any of the following items shall be punished by afine of not more than one million yen:(i) a person who has engaged in the animal handling business without receiving
registration in violation of the provisions of Article 10, paragraph (1);(ii) a person who has received the registration set forth in Article 10, paragraph (1)(including the renewal of registration set forth in Article 13, paragraph (1)) by24

Provisional translation
dishonest means;(iii) a person who has violated an order for the suspension of business under Article
19, paragraph (1); or(iv) a person who has violated an order under Article 23, paragraph (3) or Article 32.
Article 46-2 A person who has violated an order under Article 25, paragraph (2) or(3) shall be punished by a fine of not more than five hundred thousand yen.
Article 47 A person who falls under any of the following items shall be punished by afine of not more than three hundred thousand yen:(i) a person who has failed to give a notification under Article 14, paragraphs (1)through (3), Article 24-2, Article 24-3, paragraph (1)) or Article 28, paragraph (3) or
has given a false notification;(ii) a person who has failed to submit a postmortem examination report or deathcertificate in violation of an order under Article 22-6, paragraph (3);(iii) a person who has failed to make a report under Article 24, paragraph (1)(including the cases where applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to Article 24-4 byreplacing terms) or Article 33, paragraph (1) or has made a false report, or who has
refused, obstructed, or evaded an inspection under these provisions; or(iv) a person who has violated an order under Article 23, paragraph (3) as appliedmutatis mutandis pursuant to Article 24-4 by replacing terms.
Article 48 When the representative person of a corporation, or an agent, employee or
any other worker of a corporation or individual has committed an act in violation of
the provisions from Article 44 to the preceding Article with regard to the business of
said corporation or individual, not only the offender shall be punished but also said
corporation shall be punished by the fine set forth respectively in the following items
or said individual shall be punished by the fine prescribed in the respective Articles:(i) Article 45—a fine of not more than fifty million yen; or(ii) Article 44 or the preceding three Articles: the fine prescribed in the respective
Articles.
Article 49 A person who falls under any of the following items shall be punished by anon-penal fine of not more than two hundred thousand yen.
(i) a person who has failed to give a notification under Article 16-, paragraph (1)(including the cases where applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to Article 24-4),
Article 22-6, paragraph (2), or Article 24-3, paragraph (2) or has given a false
notification; or(ii) a person who has failed to keep books, failed to make a statement or made a false
statement in the books, or failed to preserve the books in violation of Article 22-6,
paragraph (1).
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Article 50 A person who fails to post a sign under Article 18 shall be punished by anon-penal fine of not more than one hundred thousand yen.
Supplementary Provisions [Act No. 79 of September 5, 2012](Effective Date)
Article 1 This Act shall come into effect as of the day specified by Cabinet Orderwithin a period not exceeding one year from the date of promulgation; provided,
however, that the provisions of the following Article and Article 12 of the
Supplementary Provisions shall come into effect as of the date of promulgation.
(Preparation Before Enforcement)
Article 2 With regard to establishment of the standards set forth in Article 12,
paragraph (1) and the standards set forth in Article 21, paragraph (1) as appliedmutatis mutandis pursuant to Article 24-4, and specification of the situation set
forth in Article 25, paragraph (3) of the Act on Welfare and Management of Animals
as revised by this Act (hereinafter referred to as the "New Act"), the Minister of theEnvironment may hear the opinion of the Central Environment Council even prior to
the enforcement of this Act.
(Transitional Measures)
Article 3 (1) A person who had already received the registration set forth in Article
10, paragraph (1) of the Act on Welfare and Management of Animals prior to therevision by this Act (hereinafter referred to as the "Former Act") at the time ofenforcement of this Act shall be deemed to have received the registration set forth in
Article 10, paragraph (1) of the New Act on the day of the enforcement of this Act(hereinafter referred to as the "enforcement date") within the scope of the businesspertaining to said registration.
(2) A person who is deemed to have received the registration set forth in Article 10,paragraph (1) of the New Act pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraphand who had already been engaging in the business of selling dogs, cats, etc.
prescribed in paragraph (3) of said Article at the time of the enforcement of this Act
shall give notification to the prefectural governor (in the case of the designated city
set forth in Article 252-19, paragraph (1) of the Local Autonomy Act [Act No. 67 of
1947], the mayor of said designated city; the same shall apply in Article 8, paragraph(1) of the Supplementary Provisions) by submitting a document containing thematters set forth in the items of said paragraph pursuant to the provisions of
Ordinance of the Ministry of the Environment, within three months from theenforcement date.
(3) The provisions of Article 14, paragraph (4) of the New Act shall apply to a
notification under the preceding paragraph by deeming that it has been given
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pursuant to Article 14, paragraph (1) of the New Act.
(4) The provisions of Article 19, paragraph (1), item (vi) of the New Act shall apply toa person who has violated paragraph (2) by deeming that said person has violated
Article 14, paragraph (1) of the New Act.
Article 4 Where a person has filed an application for the registration set forth in
Article 10, paragraph (1) of the Former Act (including the renewal of registration set
forth in Article 13, paragraph (1) of the Former Act) (in the case of renewal ofregistration, excluding a person for whom the effective period of the registrationprescribed in Article 13, paragraph (3) of the Former Act expires after theenforcement of this Act), with regard to the standards for registration pertaining tosaid application, the provisions then in force shall remain applicable.
Article 5 With regard to the application of Article 13 of the New Act, a person who
had already received the registration set forth in Article 10, paragraph (1) of theFormer Act at the time of the enforcement of this Act shall be deemed to havereceived the registration set forth in Article 10, paragraph (1) of the New Act on the
day he/she had received said registration, notwithstanding the provisions of Article
3, paragraph (1) of the Supplementary Provisions.
Article 6 With regard to the rescission of registration of a person who had alreadyreceived the registration set forth in Article 10, paragraph (1) of the Former Act at
the time of the enforcement of this Act or a person who has received the registration
set forth in Article 10, paragraph (1) of the New Act after the enforcement of this Act
based on an application for registration (including the renewal of registration set
forth in Article 13, paragraph (1) of the Former Act) filed prior to the enforcement of
this Act (in the case of renewal of registration, excluding a person for whom theeffective period of the registration prescribed in Article 13, paragraph (3) of theFormer Act expires after the enforcement of this Act), if said rescission is based on
grounds that have arisen prior to the enforcement of this Act, the provisions then inforce shall remain applicable.
Article 7 (1) Until the day on which three years have passed from the enforcement
date, the term "fifty six days" in Article 22-5 of the New Act shall be deemed to be
replaced with "forty five days."(2) From the day following the day on which the period prescribed in the preceding
paragraph has passed until the date to be separately specified by law, the term "fifty
six days" in Article 22-5 of the New Act shall be deemed to be replaced with "forty
nine days."(3) With regard to the date to be separately specified by law set forth in thepreceding paragraph, studies shall be made within five years from the enforcement27

Provisional translationof this Act by taking into consideration the actual status of business of business
operators selling dogs, cats, etc. (which means the business operators selling dogs,
cats, etc. prescribed in Article 14, paragraph (3) of the New Act; hereinafter the same
shall apply in this paragraph), the level of establishment of understanding among
the general public about the ideal timing for separating dogs and cats from theirparents, etc. for establishing a close social relationship between dogs and cats andhumans based on further enhancement of scientific knowledge throughimplementation of surveys and research using microchips, etc., the status ofpenetration of said scientific knowledge among business operators selling dogs, cats,etc., the status of enhancement of measures for ensuring certification of the dates ofbirth of dogs and cats, and other matters, and the date shall be promptly specified
based on the results of said studies.
Article 8 (1) A person who had already established the animal facility(ies) prescribedin Article 10, paragraph (2), item (vi) of the New Act (limited to those specified by
Ordinance of the Ministry of the Environment set forth in Article 24-2 of the NewAct) and was engaging in the type II animal handing business prescribed in Article
24-2 of the New Act at the time of enforcement of this Act (excluding a person who
should receive the registration set forth in Article 10, paragraph (1) of the New Act,and a person who had already received the registration set forth in Article 10,paragraph (1) of the Former Act or who handled a number of animals that did notreach the number specified by Ordinance of the Ministry of the Environment set
forth in Article 24-2 of the New Act at the time of enforcement of this Act) shall,
except in the cases specified by Ordinance of the Ministry of the Environment, notify
the prefectural governor of the matters set forth in the items of said Article andattach the documents specified by Ordinance of the Ministry of the Environment,
pursuant to the provisions of Ordinance of the Ministry of the Environment, for eachplace where the animal facility is established, within sixty days from theenforcement date.
(2) A person who has given a notification under the preceding paragraph shall bedeemed to be a person who has made a notification under Article 24-2 of the New
Act.
Article 9 (1) A person who has failed to give a notification under Article 3, paragraph(2) of the Supplementary Provisions or paragraph (1) of the preceding Article or has
given a false notification shall be punished by a fine of not more than three hundred
thousand yen.
(2) When the representative person of a corporation, or an agent, employee or any
other worker of a corporation or individual has committed an act in violation of thepreceding paragraph with regard to the business of said corporation or individual,
not only the offender shall be punished but also said corporation or individual shall28

Provisional translation
be sentenced to the punishment set forth in said paragraph.
Article 10 Any disposition made, procedure followed, or any other act conductedpursuant to the provisions of the Former Act or an order based thereon prior to theenforcement of this Act shall be deemed to be a disposition made, procedure followed,
or any other act conducted pursuant to the provisions of the corresponding
provisions of the New Act or an order based thereon, except as otherwise provided bythese Supplementary Provisions.
Article 11 With regard to application of penal provisions to an act committed prior to
the enforcement of this Act, the provisions then in force shall remain applicable.
Article 12 In addition to what is provided for in Article 2 of the Supplementary
Provisions through the preceding Article, necessary transitional measuresconcerning the enforcement of this Act shall be specified by Cabinet Order.
(Partial Revision of the Lost Property Act)
Article 13 The Lost Property Act (Act No. 73 of 2006) shall be partially revised asfollows:
The phrase "Article 35, paragraph (2)" in Article 4, paragraph (3) shall be revised to"Article 35, paragraph (3)" and the term "cat ['neko' written in hiragana inJapanese]" in said paragraph shall be revised to "cat ['neko' written in kanji inJapanese]."(Microchipping, etc.)
Article 14 (1) Given that microchipping of dogs, cats, etc. to be provided for sale
contributes to maintaining the health and safety of said dogs, cats, etc., and due toother reasons, the State shall take necessary measures for promoting research anddevelopment toward obligating the microchipping of dogs, cats, etc., disseminating
the results of said research and development, raising public awareness about
microchipping, and developing a system for managing the information associatedwith the identification numbers.
(2) By approximately five years from the enforcement of this Act, the State shallconduct studies on necessary regulations for the microchipping of dogs, cats, etc. tobe provided for sale, as a step toward obligating the microchipping, by taking into
consideration the effects of the measures taken pursuant to the preceding paragraph,the status of the microchipping rate, and other matters, and take necessary
measures based on the results of said studies.
(Review)
Article 15 The government shall review the status of the enforcement of the New Act
29

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after approximately five years from the enforcement of this Act, and if it finds it
necessary, take required measures based on the results of said review.

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